What to Know
- New York City is gearing up security again for possible protests and unrest tied to the unprecedented indictment of Donald Trump; the former president has denied wrongdoing
- Security is expected to be especially tight around Trump Tower, where he is expected to stay Monday night, and the Manhattan Criminal Courthouse at 100 Centre Street for the arraignment
- The NYPD has said it is aware of no credible threats to NYC at this point; it's unclear if any potential organized actions may intensify post-indictment, but with the pall of the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection still looming large, law enforcement at all levels of government are preparing accordingly
New York City officials outlined security and street closure plans, including rolling -- and as yet unspecified -- street closures, Monday as the unprecedented indictment of ex-President Donald Trump brings Manhattan to a standstill.
While specific streets weren't immediately listed, NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell said to expect widespread Manhattan closures, including rolling -- and as yet, unspecified, ones -- as well as a total shutdown of one route near Trump Tower along Fifth Avenue. She urged people to take public transit.
Some may just want to stay out of the city -- especially if they intend to cause any disruption, Mayor Eric Adams added.
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The Democrat and former police officer urged self-restraint for any protesters on either side who plan to converge on Manhattan this week. Adams specifically called out ardent Trump loyalist U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who tweeted last week she planned to come to New York to support him Tuesday.
"Control yourselves. This city isn't a playground for your misplaced anger," Adams said Monday. "People like MTG, who is known for spreading misinformation and hate speech, she stated that she's coming to our town. While you're here, be on your best behavior."
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Greene, whose Twitter account was temporarily restricted -- and later swept of more than 5,000 messages deemed to incite violence -- last week, announced her travel plans on Friday. At the time, she had a Jan. 7, 2021 tweet pinned to the top of her page: "RT if you still have @realDonaldTrump’s back!" That post had been unpinned by Monday.
The NYPD has said it is aware of no credible threats to New York City at this point tied to the ex-president's historic looming court appearance Tuesday in Lower Manhattan. The scene around Manhattan Criminal Court at 100 Centre Street, as well as Trump Tower, where the 76-year-old is expected to stay Monday night, will both be tightly secured.
Neither Adams nor Sewell would say if security checkpoints were part of the plan. Access to the court area generally has already been restricted. It wasn't clear exactly how many NYPD members would be on hand, but the department is ready with as many personnel as needed, the two city officials said. Times Square will also stay a gun-free zone.
A bevy of rolling closures will facilitate Trump's travel between LaGuardia Airport, Trump Tower and the courthouse. Secret Service, US Marshals, NYPD and other officials are expected to lead the motorcade from Midtown to 100 Centre Street.
Police have been preparing for demonstrations from both sides Monday and Tuesday. Trump had urged his supporters to "PROTEST, PROTEST, PROTEST" weeks before the Manhattan grand jury indicted, and though he hasn't re-upped the public call as directly since, his allies, including Greene, have taken up the charge.
Rallies are planned across the street from the courthouse, including one Greene purportedly plans to attend at 10:30 a.m.
With the pall of the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection still looming large, the NYPD and its law enforcement partners at all levels of government have been preparing for any eventuality. They scaled up security a few weeks ago, at a time when a potential indictment appeared imminent, then stood down -- and ramped up again ahead of last week's vote.
The NYPD reissued the order for every member of the department to report in full uniform and ready for deployment as of Friday. That mandate is a precautionary measure and covers about 36,000 NYPD officers and 19,000 civilian employees. It comes as top officials shore up security plans ahead of what potentially could be a busy two days of pro- and anti-Trump demonstrations throughout the city, especially in front of Trump Tower in midtown Manhattan.
The Fifth Avenue location has continued to attract supporters, opponents and tourists who just want to see the scene.
An Eric Adams spokesman said, "The mayor is in constant contact with Commissioner Sewell about all public safety issues affecting the city. The NYPD continues to monitor all activity and there are no credible threats to the city at this time. The NYPD always remains prepared to respond to events happening on the ground and keep New Yorkers safe."
Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine also said he was bracing for whatever may come, tweeting last week that "NYPD and other law enforcement agencies have been planning and coordinating intensively for this moment. New York City is ready. If there is a Trump mob, they have lost the element of surprise."
Security is expected to be more intense in Lower Manhattan, where NYPD officers escorted District Attorney Alvin Bragg from his office last week. The kind of security needed to get the former president in and out of the same building poses an unprecedented logistical challenge the NYPD and the court system say they are prepared for.
The grand jury indictment has remained sealed and is expected to stay sealed until Trump's arraignment. Multiple sources say it includes about 30 counts of document fraud-related charges. Trump has denied wrongdoing.
