New York Mayor Eric Adams said police were prepared for protests Tuesday as former President Donald Trump is set to be arraigned, but he urged protesters and “rabble-rousers” — including U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene — to “be on your best behavior.”
The warning came as New York braces for the possibility of protests, crowds and global attention as Trump is set to be arraigned Tuesday.
Adams and New York Police Commissioner Keechant L. Sewell said there are no specific or credible threats in the run-up to Trump’s court appearance, but the city would be significantly increasing its police presence as a precaution.
“New York is already always, always ready,” Adams said during a news conference Monday. “While there may be some rabble-rousers thinking about coming to our city tomorrow, our message is clear and simple: control yourselves.”
But Tuesday’s arraignment also comes as some supporters of the former president have called for protests, with some like Greene, R-Ga., also calling for the arrest of New York County District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg for launching the grand jury inquiry into Trump.
Greene called for Bragg’s arrest on Twitter on March 22, alleging without evidence the prosecutor was “breaking the law and trying to incite civil unrest.”
On Friday, the congresswoman then announced on Twitter she would be heading to New York, and urged Trump’s supporters to “protest the unconstitutional WITCH HUNT.”
Trump also called for protests as news of a possible indictment first surfaced in mid-March, but his calls seemed not to garner a large crowd so far. Still, the fear of the possibility of violence continued to be a concern.
Adams singled out Greene during Monday’s press conference.
“Although we have no specific threats, people like Marjorie Taylor Greene, who is known to spread misinformation and hate speech, she stated she’s coming town,” Adams said, before issuing a message to the congresswoman and protesters. “While you’re in town, be on your best behavior.”
Adams and Sewell declined to offer specifics as to how many police officers would be deployed across the city, but Sewell said the department was ready to pivot with officers if their presence was needed.
By Monday, multiple layers of fences and barriers had already been placed in and around Trump Tower while traffic continued to flow outside.
In addition to monitoring any possible safety threats Tuesday, Sewell said the department has also provided “additional assistance” to secure the safety of the district attorney.
“We take any threats or concerns for our elected officials very seriously so we have provided some assistance in that regard, and we are investigating any threats that may be made to the DA or any of his staff,” she said.
City officials also urged people to use public transit, warning that Tuesday’s court hearing and possible protests would bring significant traffic to the area.
Sewell said there would be “rolling” street closures throughout Manhattan to facilitate Trump’s travel from Trump Tower to court. She said some streets near the two locations would likely be closed all of Tuesday to facilitate Trump’s exit and arrival, but Sewell and a spokesperson for the department declined to offer specifics.
Sewell said a “healthy number of officers” would also be dispatched to the city’s subways to ensure safety.
About 10 a.m. Monday, Trump departed his Florida home in Mar-a-Lago and later landed at LaGuardia.
