Former President Donald Trump arrived at his residence at Trump Tower in Manhattan Monday afternoon, waving at supporters as he entered the building.
Daddy's home!
Trump arrives Trump Tower, 5th Ave NYC@TPostMillennial @NJEGmedia pic.twitter.com/yKFdbPbLy0
— Libby Emmons (@libbyemmons) April 3, 2023
A crowd of media and supporters gathered outside of Trump Tower amid increased security in and around Manhattan ahead of Trump’s arraignment on Tuesday. Supporters chanted “We love Trump!” and “Trump is our president—not Joe Biden!”
NYC- Supporters chant “We Love Trump” as NYPD choppers fly overhead outside of Trump Tower.
Am hearing reports that he has just arrived at Trump Tower pic.twitter.com/2EfErA1nUu
— Savanah Hernandez (@sav_says_) April 3, 2023
“Trump is our President, f*ck Joe Biden!”
A Chinese Trump supporter yells as more supporters of the President begin to gather outside of Trump tower. pic.twitter.com/edF066p1Ad
— Savanah Hernandez (@sav_says_) April 3, 2023
Ahead of Trump’s arrival, NYC Mayor Eric Adams held a security briefing with NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell warning Trump supporters to “control yourselves.”
“New York City is our home, not a playground for your misplaced anger. We are the safest large city in America because we respect the rule of law in New York City,” Adams said. “And although we have no specific threats, people like [Georgia Rep.] Marjorie Taylor Greene, who is known to spread misinformation and hate speech, says she’s coming to town. While you in town, be on your best behavior. As always, we will not allow violence or vandalism of any kind. And if one is caught participating in any act of violence, they will be arrested and held accountable no matter who you are.”
Eric Adams tells Trump supporters to "control yourselves"
"NYC is our home, not a playground for your misplaced anger…although we have no specific threats, people like Marjorie Taylor Greene, who is known to spread misinformation and hate speech, stated she is coming to town." pic.twitter.com/JDMomvpqiZ
— Washington Free Beacon (@FreeBeacon) April 3, 2023
According to independent journalist Savanah Hernandez, the only people causing trouble outside of Trump Tower were the few anti-Trumpers on the scene.
“I’m on the ground and the only people who are acting crazy are the anti-Trump supporters who keep ‘accidentally’ shoving Trump supporters who are waving their flags,” Hernandez reported on Twitter.
Trump will reportedly spend the night at Trump Tower and is not expected to leave until his scheduled hearing Tuesday at 2:15 p.m. ET.
The former president is expected to be arraigned on about 30 charges tomorrow.
Although the indictment remains sealed, the charges are expected to be related to hush money payments made ahead of the 2016 election to two women who claimed to have had affairs with Trump.
Trump has denied allegations that he had the affairs and falsified business records to keep the payments concealed.
According to multiple reports, New York Justice Juan Merchan, the anti-Trump judge overseeing the case, may place a gag order on Trump, preventing him from speaking out against the political prosecution ahead of the 2024 Presidential election.
Update:
On Truth Social Monday night, Trump called on Bragg to “INDICT HIMSELF” over what he said were illegal leaks tied to his indictment.
“Wow! District Attorney Bragg just illegally LEAKED the various points, and complete information, on the pathetic Indictment against me,” Trump wrote. “I know the reporter and so, unfortunately, does he. This means that he MUST BE IMMEDIATELY INDICTED. Now, if he wants to really clean up his reputation, he will do the honorable thing and, as District Attorney, INDICT HIMSELF.”
Trump was responding to a Yahoo! News report by Michael Isakoff that said the former president will be charged with 34 felony counts of falsification of business records, according to a source.
In a subsequent post, Trump added: “D.A. BRAGG JUST ILLEGALLY LEAKED THE 33 points of Indictment. There are no changes or surprises from those he leaked days ago directly out of the Grand Jury. No Crime by Trump. What a MESS. Bragg should resign, NOW!”
After posting a number of polls showing him beating Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in a head to head matchup, Trump set his sights on Special Prosecutor Jack Smith, who is investigating his handling of White House documents.
“Speaking of LEAKS, Special “Prosecutor” Jack Smith (What did his name used to be?) leaked massive amounts of information to The Washington ComPost,” Trump wrote. “This is illegal, and I assume this Radical Left Lunatic, much to the chagrin of his Trump Hating wife and family, will be PROSECUTED? He is a totally biased Thug who should be let loose on the Biden Documents hidden in Chinatown, and the 1,850 BOXES secretly stored in Delaware, which Biden REFUSES to give up. Biden is guilty of Obstruction, I am not!”