Trump In Jail? Many political observers have been imagining for many years what it might look like if the former president gets arrested. This week, we may find out.
Trump Headed to the Big House?
Donald Trump has never been arrested or indicted before, many years of investigations notwithstanding.
Also, no current or former president of the United States has ever been arrested in the country’s history.
Both of those streaks may end, as soon as this week.
Trump had said on Truth Social over the weekend that he expected to be indicted this week in New York, although his legal team has backed off a bit on the timing.
Fox News reported Monday that law enforcement officials have “met behind closed doors” to talk about the logistics of how a Trump arraignment would work. The talks entailed such questions as which streets would need to be blocked off and the deployment of extra police.
The Fox report added that because another witness will appear before the grand jury Wednesday, the originally reported timeline of a Tuesday arrest will likely not happen, and any arraignment would likely be pushed to next week.
NBC News Chief Justice Contributor Jonathan Dienst said on TV Monday that the grand jury may decide on Wednesday.
The Times report added that there will not be a “virtual” arraignment, meaning that Trump, who spends most of his time at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, will need to travel to New York to appear in court in person.
The New York Times also reported on the potential logistics of how Trump’s arrest would work.
“If Donald J. Trump is indicted by a Manhattan grand jury in the days ahead for his role in a hush money payment to a porn star, the former president of the United States of America will be read the standard Miranda warning: He will be told that he has the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney,” the Times said.
The newspaper reported that talks were held last week between the Manhattan District Attorney’s office and both the New York Police Department and the state agency that supervises the courts in the state of New York. Trump’s lawyers have said that he will surrender to authorities and fly to New York for his court appearance.
Trump, per the Times, will not be jailed, and will likely be released on his own recognizance following arraignment. It’s not clear if he will be handcuffed. And the Secret Service will likely accompany Trump throughout the entire process.
There are likely to be protests of a Trump arrest, as well as anti-Trump people showing up to see the spectacle.
“We do not tolerate attempts to intimidate our office or threaten the rule of law in New York,” Alvin Bragg, the Manhattan District Attorney, said in a memo to staff this week, as reported by Politico. “Our law enforcement partners will ensure that any specific or credible threats against the office will be fully investigated.”
The Times also reported on various actions pro-Trump figures have suggested, from in-person street protests to pulling their money from banks to calling Bragg’s office in order to demand he not charge the former president.
There were also suggestions on pro-Trump forums, per the newspaper, that supporters surround the Mar-a-Lago estate, in order to prevent law enforcement from arresting the former president.
This idea likely would not fly because, among other reasons, Trump is an active presidential candidate, and therefore would need to leave his Florida estate at various times in the coming months.
MORE: Could Joe Biden Pardon Hunter Biden?
MORE: Kamala Harris Is Just a Disaster
MORE: Joe Biden’s Biggest Weakness
MORE: Donald Trump Has a New Russia Problem
MORE: Liz Cheney Looks Lost
In the event of Trump refusing to surrender or to leave Florida, it would likely put Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, his likely future Republican primary opponent, in a position of whether to intervene.
In public comments Monday, DeSantis said his office would not be involved in any Trump arrest.
Expertise and Experience:
Stephen Silver is a Senior Editor for 19FortyFive. He is an award-winning journalist, essayist and film critic, who is also a contributor to the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Broad Street Review and Splice Today. The co-founder of the Philadelphia Film Critics Circle, Stephen lives in suburban Philadelphia with his wife and two sons. Follow him on Twitter at @StephenSilver.
