‘We’re Ready’ For Trump Arraignment – Miami Police
With Former US President Donald Trump due to be arraigned today (Tuesday afternoon), police officials in Miami have assured local residents they would safely handle any protests.
This is as court officials set up barricades and police tape around the Miami courthouse where the arraignment will be taking place later in the day. Trump is preparing for his second arraignment in two months after learning he would face seven federal charges in connection to his mishandling of classified documents.
Trump, considered the leading Republican Party candidate for the 2024 presidential elections, is expected to surrender himself to authorities in Miami on Tuesday at 3 pm ET, although the exact charges against him are still unclear, as the seven-count indictment remains under seal.
But on Fox News Digital on Thursday night, the former President said he would plead not guilty to the charges.
The Police Chief, Manuel Morales said the department is taking Trump’s court appearance ‘extremely seriously’ and that it can handle crowds of up to 50,000.
“Make no mistake about it, we’re taking this event extremely seriously, and there’s a potential for things to take a turn for the worse”, Morales said, adding; “But that’s not the Miami way. We’re bringing enough resources to handle crowds, anywhere from 5,000 to 50,000″.
According to him; “We don’t expect any issues. We’re ready. Ready for it to be over and done”.
Also, Miami’s Mayor, Francis Suarez, expressed confidence that the City’s Police will be able to handle the crowds and any protests if they occur as Trump is due to be booked and brought before a judge on federal criminal charges.
“I have full faith and confidence our police will have the right action plan and resources in place,” Suarez said during the news conference. “We are prepared for what will happen tomorrow.”
Public reaction to Trump’s scheduled arraignment at the Wilkie D Ferguson federal courthouse may be a window into the shifting political character of Miami and Trump’s strong support among Latino Americans.
The Associated Press reported that Alex Otaola, a Cuban-born YouTube personality who is running for Miami-Dade county mayor, has rallied followers to show up in support of the former president.
“Those of us who believe that America’s salvation only comes if Donald Trump is elected for a second term, we will gather on Tuesday,” Otaola said in a YouTube clip.
Trump left Bedminster, New Jersey, where he had played golf at his club there over the weekend, on Monday to fly into Miami airport and stay overnight at his Trump National Doral Miami golf club.
CBS News reported that a motorcade protected by Miami-Dade police will escort Trump to the downtown courthouse where he will be handed over to the security of US marshals for his arraignment.
“In there, you’re going to have the City of Miami, probably the Chief himself, you’re going to have Miami-Dade county, Secret Service, FBI, the marshals. They’ll all be there to make sure there’s a unified command”, the retired Miami Police Chief, Jorge Colina told the outlet.
