Donald Trump is set to face a court hearing on Tuesday afternoon, according to CBS News. The former president is expected to fly from Florida on his private plane and hand himself in with federal agents providing protection. He is being indicted in connection with a $130,000 (£105,000) pay-out to porn star Stormy Daniels.
The charges are yet to be made public, and Mr Trump’s lawyer Joe Tacopina has said he has not yet read the indictment. A law enforcement official told CBS that Mr Trump is expected to fly his private plane to New York on Monday before surrendering to officials on Tuesday. The process is likely to involve dozens or possibly hundreds of Secret Service agents, the official added. Mr Trump will not be handcuffed, they said, as shackles are typically only used on suspects who are thought to be a flight or safety risk.
The hearing is due to take place at 14:15 local time (19:15GMT). Mr Trump’s lawyer has said he will “probably” appear in court on Tuesday, but that nothing is certain. Security is being co-ordinated by the FBI, NYPD, Secret Service and New York City court officers. Sources have said they are bracing for possible scenarios that include attacks against Mr Trump, prosecutors, jurors or members of the public.
On Friday morning, the streets around the courthouse were calm but barricades were going up in anticipation of what may come next week. Police officers were on patrol and security plans were being put into place. Many expect the area to go into lockdown when the former president attends court.
Prosecutors had initially asked Mr Trump to surrender on Friday, but the request was rejected due to the need for more time for security preparations. Mr Trump denies any wrongdoing and is the first serving or former US president to face a criminal charge. It is unclear how many charges are contained in the indictment, which is still sealed.
Republicans have accused the Manhattan district attorney of weaponising the criminal justice system to influence next year’s presidential election. Georgia Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Green, who Mr Trump recently suggested should run for Senate, called on followers to protest and said she plans to be present in New York next week. In response, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said the charges had been brought by citizens of New York doing their civic duty – and neither the former president nor Congress could interfere with proceedings.
The charges relate to a 2006 adulterous affair between Mr Trump and Stormy Daniels. The adult film star contacted media outlets offering to sell her account of what she said was an affair she had with Mr Trump – the year after he married his current wife, Melania. Mr Trump’s team got wind of this and his lawyer Michael Cohen paid $130,000 to Ms Daniels to keep quiet. However, when Mr Trump reimbursed Mr Cohen, the record for the payment says it was for legal fees – which prosecutors say amounts to Mr Trump falsifying business records, a misdemeanour in New York.
President Joe Biden declined to comment on the indictment when pressed by journalists as he left the White House on a trip to Mississippi. Mr Tacopina said Mr Trump was being “pursued by a prosecutor who has obviously very diverse political views from the president”, adding that he was “not worried at all” about the charges. The US Capitol Police have said they believe protests will take place across the country and have plans in place to increase security at the US Capitol.