NYPD officers ordered to patrol in uniform ahead of Trump’s possible impeachment

NEW YORK — NYPD officers of all ranks have been ordered to wear their uniforms and prepare for deployment beginning Tuesday, according to an internal memo obtained by our sister network. News 4. This comes as law enforcement at all levels of government step up their security plans ahead of a possible indictment of Donald Trump in Manhattan Criminal Court this week.

The memo, sent by the NYPD Operations Division Commander, instructed all uniformed service members to observe public disorder etiquette and prepare for mobilization at all times while on duty.

It comes days after former President Donald Trump told supporters he expected to be arrested on Tuesday as part of a Manhattan jury investigation into money paid to silence women who have alleged sexual relations with the former president. The 2024 Republican presidential candidate called on his base to “PROTEST, PROTEST, PROTEST,” evoking similar rhetoric to that he used shortly before the uprising at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.

Yet as the world waited for a possible ruling from the Manhattan Criminal Court, early protests seemed largely muted.

Apart from a modest demonstration scheduled for Tuesday at trump tower driving to the Manhattan District Attorney’s office and a separate small caravan of pro-Trump cars traveling from Long Island to Lower Manhattan, security officials said they were not aware of any developments that might alter the dynamics of the city until at least Wednesday.

Officers erected barricades outside Trump Tower and Manhattan Criminal Court on Monday. These are likely two of what law enforcement officials say are several high-profile locations the NYPD will cover this week as needed.

The police department, secret service, court officials and the FBI continue to meet to discuss security.

As of Monday evening, there were no plans or requests for Trump, who was at his property in Mar-a-Lago, Florida, to visit the city this week, multiple sources said.

All eyes are on the Manhattan District Attorney

District Attorney Alvin Bragg is believed to be considering charges in the secret money investigation and recently offered Trump the chance to testify before a jury, which the former president declined. Local police are preparing for the public safety implications of an unprecedented lawsuit against a former US president.

Officials stress that the interagency talks and planning are pre-emptive in nature as no charges have been filed. Agencies involved include the NYPD, New York State Court officials, the US Secret Service, the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force and the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, authorities said. .

The Young Republican Club of New York held a protest rally in Lower Manhattan on Monday, and although a few dozen Trump supporters wearing red MAGA hats showed up, it was a more subdued affair just steps from the courthouse. justice.

“We weren’t sure we wanted to come out because obviously some people don’t like us. We’re here to show that there’s support for President Trump in the bluest part of the country,” said Gavin Wax of the Republican. Youth club.

A few inflammatory but isolated posts have also surfaced on fringe social media platforms from supporters calling for an armed confrontation with law enforcement on Trump’s property in Florida, but no organized action has emerged so far. .

Trump’s aides and legal team are bracing for the possibility of impeachment. If that happened, he would only be arrested if he refused to surrender. Trump’s attorneys previously said he would follow normal procedure, which means he would likely agree to go to a New York police station or directly to Bragg’s office.

The former president has not been charged with any crime and has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.