New York prepares for Trump’s indictment: Secret Service, FBI conduct security sweeps

Federal and local law enforcement agencies are preparing for a possible indictment of former President Donald Trump – making security preparations for what would be a historic charging decision.

The moves, though preliminary and preparatory in nature, come after a series of signals that an indictment in the Stormy Daniels case could be coming, following testimony by former Trump fixer Michael Cohen, and the porn star Daniels’ meeting with prosecutors.

Multiple law enforcement agencies have been conducting ‘preliminary security assessments’ in the event of an indictment, multiple officials told NBC News. They are making arrangements for a security plan for Manhattan Criminal Court, where Trump would have a hearing if he were to be charged in the probe, which has seen a flurry of activity in recent months after going dormant. 

Trump currently resides in Florida at Mar-a-Lago, so presumably would have to make arrangements through counsel to travel to Manhattan, where he continues to maintain his Trump Tower penthouse, in the event he is charged.

A handful of law enforcement agencies are making preparations for a potential Donald Trump indictment in Manhattan related to ‘hush’ payments dealing with his alleged affair with porn star Stormy Daniels. Trump denies a sexual relationship

The movement comes two days after Daniels met with prosecutors at the end of a week where former Trump fixer Cohen spoke before a grand jury in Manhattan. 

The signals come long after Cohen pleaded guilty to campaign finance crimes related related to his arranging for $130,000 in ‘hush’ payments to Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford.

A handful of agencies are involved – the Secret Service, which continues to provide protection for Trump – as well as the FBI, the NYPD, the Manhattan DA’s office, as well as state court officers. 

If he does get charged, Trump’s team is signaling he will appear before the court.

‘There won’t be a standoff at Mar-a-Lago with Secret Service and the Manhattan DA’s office,’ lawyer Joe Tacopina told the New York Daily News.

Trump was identified as ‘Individual-1’ in court documents. Although he publicly made comments denying knowledge of the scheme, his lawyer Joseph Tacopina this week said his statements while president were ‘not a lie.’ He also called an indictment ‘more probable.’ The exact nature of any charges that may come in the coming days was not known.

Trump continues to deny a sexual relationship with Daniels. 

Trump spokesman Steven Cheung issued a blistering statement to Fox News, which reported that Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg asked for a meeting with law enforcement in advance of a possible indictment. Cheung calling the probe a ‘witch hunt,’ the same term Trump applies to the Russia probe and the investigation of government materials found at Mar-a-Lago.

Federal and local law enforcement agencies are preparing for a possible indictment of former President Donald Trump at the criminal court in Manhattan

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg is rumored to be filing an indictment against Trump next week. 

The news comes during a week when Michael Cohen spoke to a grand jury

Donald Trump’s lawyer Joseph Tacopina said an indictment of his client in the Stormy Daniels case is becoming ‘more probable’

‘President Donald J. Trump is completely innocent, he did nothing wrong, and even the biggest, most Radical Left Democrats are making that clear,’ he said. ‘From Russia, Russia, Russia, to the Mueller Hoax, to Impeachment Hoaxes 1 and 2, and even the Unlawful Mar-a-Lago Raid, Democrats have investigated and attacked President Trump since before he was elected – and they’ve failed every time.’

‘Now Democrats are at it again, pushing the ‘Nuclear Button’ and attacking a President because of a disgraced extortionist,’ he said, disparaging Daniels. 

‘This is happening because President Trump is leading in the polls by a large margin against both Democrats and Republicans, and there’s never been anything so blatant in American political history.’