Trump fears he will be arrested soon, calls for protests in New York

The 45th President of the United States, Donald Trump, said he would be arrested on Tuesday, March 21, in connection with an investigation by the Manhattan District Attorney's Office, and called on his supporters to protest. Writes about it USA Today.

Trump is under investigation for a $130 payment he made shortly before the 000 election to silence star Stormy Daniels about an affair. Trump denied wrongdoing, and federal investigators dropped their investigation into the payments in 2016.

But the testimony of Trump's former lawyer Michael Cohen, who arranged the payment that caused the convicted and already served time in prison, could help bring the first charges in history against the 45th president.

On his Truth Social, Trump urged his supporters to "protest and take back our nation!"

"The leading Republican candidate and the 45th President of the United States of America will be arrested next Tuesday," he wrote.

On the subject: Judge orders Trump's companies to pay $1,6 million in tax fraud fines

Trump's spokesman said there was "no notice" of Trump's possible indictment other than media reports of a "leak from the Justice Department and the District Attorney's office."

Manhattan prosecutors met with Daniels. She thanked her lawyer on Twitter for "helping me in our ongoing fight for truth and justice."

Experts say Trump's arrest is unlikely

Trump says he will run for president again. His first rally for the 2024 presidential race is scheduled for March 25 in Waco, Texas.

Charge is not the same as arrest. This is an official charge of committing a crime, while an arrest is taking a person into custody. Former U.S. Attorney Renato Mariotti says Trump's arrest is unlikely.

“Normally, defendants are not arrested in cases like this,” he said.

Barbara McQuad, a former U.S. attorney and professor at the University of Michigan, is convinced self-conviction is more likely in cases like Trump's.

"If he doesn't pose a danger to the community, he'll most likely just give his fingerprints and then probably be released on bail," she commented.

Trump's call for protests raises concerns

Trump's call for protests has caused concern for law enforcement involved in the preparations for such an event.

This may require more thorough security efforts in New York and more police officers.

Cohen, a former Trump lawyer who testified against him, compares Trump's call for protests from his supporters to those of January 6, 2021.

"Donald's post is very similar to his battle cry for the January 6 uprising, including a call for protest," Cohen said. “In this way, Donald hopes to reach out to his voter base, witness another violent confrontation on his behalf, and capitalize on him by soliciting contributions to his campaign.”