Former President Donald Trump has announced his anticipation of arrest in connection with the Manhattan District Attorney’s investigation and has urged his supporters to protest as New York law enforcement prepares for potential indictment.
No US president has ever been arrested before.
In a social media post on Saturday, March 18, referring to himself, Trump stated, “The leading Republican candidate and former president of the United States will be arrested on Tuesday of next week.” He added, “Protest, take our nation back,” on Truth Social.
Reports indicate that various meetings have taken place between New York city, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to prepare for a potential indictment of Trump.
In his social media posts, Trump did not provide specific reasons for expecting indictment, but his legal team has been making preparations for the upcoming developments behind the scenes.
Following the formal charges, Trump is expected to present himself in Manhattan and has shown interest in delivering a speech, according to the Washington Post.
His call for protest in response to a potential arrest mirrors his actions in the final days of his term, during which he repeatedly urged his supporters to reject the results of the 2020 presidential election, leading to the violent January 6, 2021 attack on the US Capitol.
According to CNN, some of Trump’s advisers had privately advised against calling for protests, fearing it could escalate uncontrollably or resemble the January 6, 2021 attack on the US Capitol.
Trump would be delivered to the Manhattan district attorney’s office by his US Secret Service detail for processing, including fingerprinting and mugshots, as per customary practice when a defendant voluntarily surrenders. Subsequently, the former president would be taken directly to an arraignment before a judge and then released.