Authorities in New York are preparing to mobilise 700 riot cops ahead of the potential arrest of former President Donald Trump.
Meetings have been taking place between city, state and federal law enforcement agencies to discuss how to deal with widespread protests that are likely to form following his arrest.
Last week Trump predicted that he would be arrested on Tuesday and called on his supporters to gather if that should happen.
Some MAGA fanatics have already started descending on Trump Tower.
Trump faces possible criminal charges over payments his former lawyer Michael Cohen made to porn star Stormy Daniels during his 2016 presidential campaign.
Prosecutors claim the six-figure payment violated campaign finance laws and was made to silence Daniels. Trump has denied knowledge of the payment.
The Daily Mail reports that the New York Police Department is even considering stationing hundreds of riot cops, fearing that Trump's arrest may cause both MAGA conservatives and anti-Trump protesters to face off outside Manhattan Criminal Court as he is arraigned.
As well as gathering in New York, several MAGA fans have also descended on Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida in a bid to prevent his arrest.
NYPD representatives are monitoring social media and liaising with federal agents to assess any potential threat.
The force may deploy its 'Strategic Response Group,' which consists of 700 members trained in “disaster control”.
The NYPD and FBI have also drafted contingency plans to deal with threats to Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg and his staff if some of Trump's more extremist supporters target them.
Secret Service staff have also prepared for how they will move Trump through large crowds in the event of his arrest.
Trump has said he expects to be arrested as early as Tuesday on state charges for the payouts to Stormy Daniels, as he urged his supporters to “protest, protest, protest”.
The payment to Daniels was listed as 'legal expenses', which Bragg's office says is a violation of New York law which prohibits falsifying business records.
Trump has repeatedly denied the claims, and his lawyer has accused Daniels — whose real name is Stephanie Clifford — of extortion.
Trump would become the first former US president to face criminal prosecution should he be charged.
Were he charged, Trump would become the first former U.S. president to face criminal prosecution.
