Trump headed to NYC for indictment, booking

PALM BEACH, Fla. – Former President Donald Trump boarded his private jet on Monday and flew from Florida to New York ahead of his scheduled booking and arrangement time, as the nation’s largest city stepped up security and warns potential agitators that it is “not the playground for you. angry in the wrong place.”

Trump’s terrestrial journey from his Mar-a-Lago club to his red, white and blue Boeing 757, emblazoned with gold “TRUMP” was televised live on national television. and took him past supporters waving banners and cheering on the former president. Trump and his supporters have criticized the lawsuit against him — stemming from hush money during the 2016 election campaign — as politically motivated.

The scene is quite different in New York, where Trump has built a national reputation in business and entertainment but has become deeply unpopular when he turns to politics.

His return to the city opens an unprecedented chapter in US history, with Trump being the first former president to face criminal charges even while he is on his third campaign. into the White House. It brings major legal, political and cultural events into conflict in unprecedented ways.

The former president had planned to spend the night at Trump Tower, then turned himself in to authorities on Tuesday for a reservation and is likely to be charged in the afternoon. So far, officials have not seen an influx of people into the city, as was the case in Washington in the days leading up to the January 6, 2021 uprising.

However, authorities warn that it is a crime to possess firearms in certain areas of the city, including near the courts.

New York Mayor Eric Adams said: “While there may be some extremists thinking about coming to our city tomorrow, our message is clear and simple: take control of your life. close”. “New York City is our home, not a playground for your misplaced anger. We are the safest major city in America because we respect the law in New York City.”

Trump Tower was open on Monday, but authorities are planning to close nearby streets as Trump comes and go, and additional security is also being worked out. They have taken steps to close and secure the court area where the former president will appear for impeachment Tuesday afternoon.

Trump supporters, including one of his most loyal defenders in Congress, Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, planned a rally in New York later in the session. Tuesday morning, possibly before Trump has to stand before a judge as part of his impeachment. Adams took the unusual step of calling the congresswoman by name.

“While we have no specific threats, people like Marjorie Taylor Greene, who is known for spreading disinformation and hate speech, have announced that she is coming. town,” Adams said. “When you’re in town, be your best.”

The former president and his aides eagerly embraced the much-anticipated media circus. After initially being caught off guard by the news of the indictment when it was announced Thursday night, Trump and his team are focusing on using what they call a weak case against Trump to beneficial to yourself.

More than 1,200 miles away in Florida, pro-Trump protesters began gathering before dawn at a West Palm Beach mall on their way to the airport, hours before he was due to cross the route. .

Boca Raton firefighter Erik Solensten and his retired colleague, John Fischer, started hanging banners very early. One, measuring 30 x 6 feet (9 x 2 metres), showed police officers and firefighters saying, “Thanks for supporting us, President Trump.”

“We are the fire brigade. We’re prepared and don’t want to wait for things to happen,” said Solensten, who took the day off to show support for Trump. “He needs spirit just like everyone else needs spirit. He’s done more for this country than any 10 presidents combined.”

Trump is facing multiple charges of falsifying business records, including at least one felony, in an indictment filed by a Manhattan grand jury last week. The investigation is scrutinizing six-figure payments made to porn actor Stormy Daniels and former Playboy model Karen McDougal.

Both say they had sex with Trump who was married years before he entered politics. Trump denies having sex with either woman and denies any wrongdoing related to the payments, arguing that the lawsuit against him is politically motivated.

No former president has ever been indicted, and Trump’s aggressive presidential campaign in next year’s election only adds to the political risk. Trump has spent the weekend golfing and meeting with advisers, but his campaign says it has raised more than $5 million since the indictment was announced. One Trump fundraising email Monday had the subject line, “Tomorrow, I’ll be arrested.”

Leading Republicans, including some of Trump’s potential opponents in next year’s Republican presidential primary, have criticized the lawsuit against him. President Joe Biden and the top Democrats hardly have much to say about it.

Solensten said it was wrong for Trump to be accused of dating a porn star long before he took office. Instead, he said, investigators should look into Biden’s son, Hunter, and his business dealings, which committees in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives have already begun looking into.

Solensten said of the Bidens: “To me, those actions were reasonable. But it was a walk.”

Weissert reported from Washington. Associated Press writers Jill Colvin, Bobby Caina Calvan and Julie Walker contributed to this report from New York.