Donald Trump protest fears erupt as police install metal barriers and block roads
The former US President is set to be arraigned at the Manhattan Criminal Courthouse on Tuesday afternoon after his indictment in a "hush money" investigation.
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New York is preparing for furious protests ahead of Donald Trump's expected surrender to prosecutors, with police installing metal barriers around Trump Tower and blocking roads near Manhattan Criminal Courthouse. Mr Trump is set to be arraigned at the courthouse on Tuesday afternoon after his indictment in a grand jury probe over hush money paid to a porn star Stormy Daniels. The former US President has come out fighting and described the probe as a political witch hunt, and key supporters have said they will go to the city tomorrow to protest.
Following the end of the hotly-contested US Presidential elections more than two years ago, which Mr Trump falsely claimed he won against Joe Biden, his supporters stormed the US Capitol building, sparking a deadly riot.
On Tuesday, the Manhattan Criminal Courthouse, home to criminal and supreme courts, will close some of its courtrooms ahead of his expected appearance, according to one court official.
The New York Police Department (NYPD) said there were no credible threats to the city.
The NYPD said in a statement: "The department remains ready to respond as needed and will ensure everyone is able to peacefully exercise their rights."
Mr Trump will likely fly from Florida to New York later today and spend tonight at Trump Tower, before arriving at the courthouse early tomorrow morning.
There are fears that the criminal charges against Trump will cause his furious supporters to stage huge protests.
The New York Young Republican Club is planning a protest at a park across the road from the courthouse.
Republican politician Marjorie Taylor Greene, one of Mr Trump's staunchest supporters in Congress, has said she will attend that protest.
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Ms Greene said on Twitter: "Protesting is a constitutional right," before adding she would "protest this unprecedented abuse of our justice system and election interference".
She also said she rejects anyone who incites or commits violence.
The prospect of protests on Tuesday come with Mr Trump "gearing up for a battle" ahead of his hush money court hearing, his lawyer has said.
The former President's lawyer Joe Tacopina insisted Mr Trump will vigorously fight the allegations against him.
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He told ABC's This Week: "He's someone who's going to be ready for this fight. We're ready for this fight.
"And I look forward to moving this thing along as quickly as possible to exonerate him."
Mr Trump is likely to face more than 30 charges related to business fraud over an alleged $130,000 (£105,000) pay-out to Stormy Daniels in 2016.
It is claimed he made the payment ahead of his victory against Hillary Clinton in an attempt to buy the porn star's silence over an alleged affair.
Former US President Mr Trump has consistently denied any wrongdoing.