New York police are “taking every precaution” amid concern there will be major protests if former US president Donald Trump is arrested today.
Mr Trump has said he expects to be arrested and has urged his followers to protest against the authorities if it happens.
Mr Trump has insisted he did “absolutely nothing wrong” and has urged his followers to protest if he is arrested.
A spokesperson for Mr Trump has said he has not been notified of any pending arrest.
On Newstalk Breakfast this morning, US law expert Larry Donnelly said New York police are on high alert.
“We have seen before, on January 6th in very chilling fashion, what that can constitute and indeed the police in New York are taking every precaution,” he said.
“All officers are being told to be ready to be deployed in the event of something.
“Trump has, rather horribly, not even said peaceful protests. He just wants protests against a system that he thinks is out to get him.
“Now, whether Trump’s message has the same potency or resonance now as it did then is an open question – but I still think it is important to be vigilant and to recognise the threat that can be posed.
“Even if that threat comes from a handful of people, they can do an awful lot of damage.”
Stormy Daniels
The potential arrest relates to a so-called ‘hush money’ payment made to porn star Stormy Daniels by Mr Trump’s former attorney Michael Cohen.
Authorities will allege that the €130,000 (€121,000) payment was made to Ms Daniels in exchange for her silence about an affair she allegedly had with Mr Trump.
Mr Trump could also be charged with falsifying business documents after allegedly reimbursing the money to Mr Cohen and falsely recording it as a payment for legal services.
While falsifying business records is a misdemeanour in the US, prosecutors hope to elevate the charge to felony by proving that it was done to conceal another crime, the violation of election laws.
To do this they will have to prove that the payment was actually an improper donation to Trump’s campaign.
Hush Money
Mr Donnelly said the former president could face up to four years in prison if convicted.
“There’s all sorts of stuff swirling around here as to how this is going to unfold,” he said.
“Will he appear in New York? will he appear remotely? It is not clear.
“Again, this is a very difficult case for the Manhattan DA to prove. Indeed, his predecessor looked at this and decided it was too far of a reach.
“So, it is very difficult and of course, when and if this does happen, Trump will employ his usual technique when it comes to the law, which is delay, delay, delay.
“It is not as easy in a criminal context as it is in a civil context but because of the complexity of the issues involved here, he will have some room for manoeuvre.”
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