A Florida man was arraigned on criminal charges in Manhattan on Tuesday without much incident. Yes, the man was former President Donald Trump, who called his indictment “persecution” and instructed his followers to protest, to little avail. Outspoken Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., showed up to lead a protest but quickly fled, deeming counterprotests loud enough to “cause audible damage.”
Following initial news of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s indictment of Trump on March 30, Fox News’ Tucker Carlson hosted a guest who advocated for “unrest,” saying, “If that’s what they want, let’s get to it.” Still, there was no security incident to report. At least yet; it’s way too early to declare victory over the threat posed by a former president who incited an insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. But it’s not too soon to assess the factors that will bring that risk picture into focus.
The overwhelming security presence in Manhattan on Tuesday and the media coverage of security preparations sent a message to anyone thinking about violence to think again.
At least three variables shaped Tuesday’s relatively peaceful response to Trump’s court appearance, and they will continue to factor into the security risks in the days and months ahead as we wait for Trump’s next court case in the Manhattan case, and for any developments in the ongoing Fulton County, Georgia, and federal investigations into his alleged behavior.
First, the overwhelming security presence in Manhattan on Tuesday and the media coverage of security preparations sent a message to anyone thinking about violence to think again. The New York area law enforcement community, including over 30,000 sworn NYPD officers, all in full uniform, the FBI’s NY Joint Terrorism Task Force, the U.S. Secret Service, along with myriad state and federal partners, partnered to prevent violence. Ironically, Trump’s early and inaccurate prediction of the timing of his…
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