What to Know
- Crowds of onlookers overwhelmed some of the former president’s most vocal supporters Tuesday morning outside the lower Manhattan courthouse where Donald Trump is scheduled to appear hours later for his afternoon arraignment.
- A morning “Rally for Trump” in support of the former president was expected to draw numbers, including keynote speaker Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene. The Republican lawmaker arrived amid the chaotic crowd of pro- and anti-Trump supporters where she delivered brief remarks.
- Shouting through a small handheld megaphone, Greene’s message to Trump supporters was essentially silenced by the disorder of the crowd and media gathered outside. She left just a few minutes later.
NEW YORK — Crowds of onlookers overwhelmed some of the former president’s most vocal supporters Tuesday morning outside the lower Manhattan courthouse where Donald Trump is scheduled to appear hours later for his afternoon arraignment.
A morning “Rally for Trump” in support of the former president was expected to draw numbers, including keynote speaker Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene. The Republican lawmaker arrived amid the chaotic crowd of pro- and anti-Trump supporters where she delivered brief remarks.
But in the end, it didn’t go so well. Shouting through a small handheld megaphone, Greene’s message to Trump supporters was essentially silenced by the disorder of the crowd and media gathered outside. She left just a few minutes later.
The controversial Republican had a brief endorsement from Rep. George Santos, who appeared in the middle of the chaos in front of the court half an hour before the official start time of the rally. He left around 10 am with no plans to return. During his brief appearance, the Long Island politician criticized Bragg and expressed his support for Trump.
Some anti-Trump protesters were also present, unfurling a large banner reading “Trump lies all the time.” A brief fight broke out between pro and anti-Trump supporters, with the former tearing up a banner outside the courthouse. Our sister network NBC News reports that the police intervened and separated the groups.
Crowd estimates cannot be certain, but the number of spectators outside Trump Tower and the Manhattan courthouse has risen steadily since Monday, when the former president flew from Mar-a-Lago to New York.
Some demonstrated after Trump told the world he expected to be arrested, but those protests were largely silenced. The NYPD has said there is no credible threat to the city at this time, and ordered all members of the department to report to each other in full uniform on Friday.
That mandate is a precautionary measure and covers some 36,000 NYPD officers and 19,000 civilian employees. It comes as top officials tighten security plans ahead of what could be a busy weekend of pro- and anti-Trump rallies across the city, especially in front of Trump Tower in midtown Manhattan.
With the death blanket of the January 6, 2021 insurrection still looming, the NYPD and its law enforcement partners at all levels have been preparing for any incident. At a press conference the day before, the New York police chief warned of continued street closures and increased police presence, which are likely to hinder movement in Manhattan.
Some may just want to stay out of town, especially if they intend to cause a disturbance, Mayor Eric Adams added.
The Democrat and former police officer urged self-restraint by any protesters from either side planning to converge on Manhattan this week. Adams specifically called out ardent Trump loyalist US Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who tweeted last week that she planned to go to New York to support him on Tuesday.
“Control yourselves. This city is not a playground for your misplaced anger,” Adams said Monday. “People like Marjorie Taylor Greene, who is known for spreading misinformation and hate speech, said she’s coming to our city. While you’re here, be your best self.”
The former president had vocal support over the weekend in New York from several Republican allies, including potential presidential candidate Ron DeSantis. The Florida governor took the stage on Long Island along with Rep. Lee Zeldin to criticize Bragg for what he called a “weak” accusation.
“They’re trying to do all this legal gymnastics to try to act like it’s a felony when almost every other time they’re trying to take felonies and downgrade them to misdemeanors,” DeSantis said Saturday.
The Fifth Avenue location has continued to attract supporters, opponents, and tourists who just want to see the scene.
A spokesman for Eric Adams said: “The Mayor is in constant contact with Commissioner Sewell on all public safety issues affecting the City. The NYPD continues to monitor all activities and there are no credible threats to the City in right now. The NYPD is always standing by.” to respond to events on the ground and keep New Yorkers safe.
Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine also said he was preparing for whatever may come, tweeting last week that “the NYPD and other law enforcement agencies have been intensively planning and coordinating for this moment.” “New York City is ready. If there’s a Trump mob, they’ve lost the element of surprise.”
Security is expected to be tightest in Lower Manhattan, where NYPD officers escorted District Attorney Alvin Bragg from his office last week. The kind of security required for the former president to enter and exit the same building poses an unprecedented logistical challenge that the NYPD and the judicial system say they are prepared for.
The grand jury indictment has remained sealed and is expected to remain sealed until Trump’s arraignment. Multiple sources say it includes around 30 charges related to document fraud. Trump has denied any wrongdoing.
