IS TRUMP ARREST IMMINENT? Increased police presence and metal barricades on the streets of American cities

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - Police forces in major American cities are preparing for possible unrest that could follow if former US President Donald Trump is arrested this week.

Authorities in New York, Washington, and Los Angeles are increasing police presence on the streets. The District Attorney of New York could indict Trump based on claims that he paid a pornographic actress to remain silent about their alleged affair. This would be the first time in American history that a criminal indictment has been brought against a former US president, reports the BBC.

Metal barricades are being erected in front of the criminal court building in Manhattan, where the decision on indicting Trump is being made. If an indictment is indeed issued this week, as predicted by American media, Trump could be brought there for booking, fingerprinting, and arraignment, reports N1.

Increased police presence is also visible in front of Trump Tower in New York. All officers, including plainclothes officers, have been ordered to wear full uniform on Tuesday and have been placed on alert for possible mobilization, a police source told CBS.

The New York Police Department and the FBI's counter-terrorism unit are in contact with the US Secret Service, whose job it is to protect current and former presidents, regarding how a potential arrest would be carried out.

The police protecting members of the US Congress in Washington plan to issue an emergency order on Tuesday, a congressional source told CBS, aimed at enhancing coordination with other law enforcement agencies. Other public order and security bodies will also be on alert, although a congressional source stated that there is no specific threat, and the order is preventive in nature.

In Los Angeles, on the other side of the country, police and federal officials are preparing for a pro-Trump protest on Tuesday in front of the federal building, reports the LA Times.

US intelligence officials have noted an increase in online threats against judicial and government officials since Trump wrote on Saturday that he expects to be arrested on Tuesday, writes CBS. Most of the threats are directed at the District Attorney of New York, Alvin Bragg, who is expected to be the one to indict Trump.

On Saturday, the same day Trump called on his supporters to organize mass protests, Bragg sent an email to his staff stating: "We will not tolerate attempts to intimidate or threaten the rule of law in New York."

Why is Trump under investigation?

Bragg has convened a grand jury to determine if there is sufficient evidence to bring charges. The case involving porn star Stormy Daniels revolves around how Trump reimbursed his former lawyer Michael Cohen after Cohen paid $130,000 to Stormy Daniels to prevent her from going public with the story of their alleged affair before the 2016 presidential election.

Trump denies the affair.

The reimbursement to Cohen was classified as "legal expenses" in the report.

Prosecutors could argue that Trump thereby falsified business records, which is a misdemeanor in New York State, although it could be classified as a more serious felony.

NBC reports that Secret Service agents protecting Trump will remain with him in the event of a possible arrest.

Other American media outlets say there will be no so-called "perp walk" – where a suspect, in handcuffs, is publicly led to court to hear the charges.

Meanwhile, the grand jury heard from Trump's lawyer Robert Costello on Monday, whom Trump's team called to discredit the prosecution's key witness, Michael Cohen.

"I told the grand jury that this guy (Cohen) wouldn't know the truth even if you put a gun to his head," Costello said on Monday after the hearing.

Trump has vowed to continue his political campaign to become the Republican candidate in the upcoming 2024 presidential election, even if he is indicted. However, as many as 44 percent of Republicans say that Trump should withdraw his candidacy in that case, according to the results of a Reuters and Ipsos poll.