The former leader could face charges as early as next week, several senior officials told US media.
Federal, state and local law enforcement would discuss security preparations in case former President Donald Trump is charged with felony tampering in the coming days, according to multiple media outlets citing unnamed officials.
Agencies make “preliminary security assessments” in and around a Manhattan courthouse to prepare for a possible indictment related to a Corruption scheme involving a woman who claimed to have been intimate with the ex-president, five senior officials says NBC Friday.
While officials stressed that the talks are “precautionary” Since no charges have been filed, they said preparations were underway for an indictment which could come as soon as next week. Four law enforcement officials contacted by The Associated Press confirmed inter-agency conversations, which they say involve “the safety, planning and practicalities of a possible court appearance” by Trump.
Agencies discussing security preparations reportedly include the New York Police Department, New York State Court Officers, US Secret Service, FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force and Manhattan District Attorney’s Office . According to a source in court cited per Fox News, the Secret Service will determine if Trump is handcuffed in case he is charged.
The former chef is the subject of a grand jury investigation launched by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office into alleged criminal tampering with business records, and is accused of arranging a $130,000 payment to the adult film actress Stormy Daniels through her then attorney, Michael Cohen. Daniels claims she was paid during the 2016 presidential campaign to remain silent about alleged sexual encounters with Trump in the past, although he denies such liaisons ever took place.
Trump lawyer Joe Tacopina told NBC News that if the ex-president is charged, he will “Follow normal procedures”, but insisted on his client’s innocence.
“The payments were made to a lawyer, not Stormy Daniels. The payments were made to Donald Trump’s attorney, which would be considered legal fees,” he said during a separate interview with MSNBC earlier this week, adding that Cohen “was his attorney at the time and advised him that this was the proper course of action to protect himself and his family from embarrassment. It’s as simple as that. It’s not a crime.”
Cohen pleaded guilty to a federal charge related to the payment in 2018 and has since cooperated with the Trump investigation after a public falling out with his former boss. He provided hours of testimony before the grand jury investigating Trump on the alleged felony charge, appearing for the second time on Wednesday.
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