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Police in the country’s major cities have been put on high alert as former US President Trump may be implicated in a case of allegedly paying an actress to conceal a sexual relationship.
Security has been increased manifold in major cities including New York, Washington, Los Angeles.
A Manhattan state attorney is expected to file criminal charges against Trump over allegations that he paid large sums of money to silence her to cover up his relationship with the pornographic actress.
Tight security in New York, Washington
If so, it would be the first time a former US president has been criminally prosecuted.
Iron bars are placed outside the Manhattan Criminal Courthouse. That’s where Trump will be charged, fingerprinted and photographed this week, according to US media.
Security has also been increased outside Trump Tower in New York City.
The BBC’s US affiliate CBS reported that all police officers, including detectives from the New York Police Department, were on duty in full uniform and that every member of the police force was involved in security. reported.
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Ready to arrest Trump?
The New York Police Department and the FBI’s Counterterrorism Unit are in contact with the U.S. Secret Service, which is tasked with protecting presidents and former presidents, about how an arrest might occur.
CBSE has received information that Capitol Police on Capitol Hill in Washington will declare a state of emergency.
The order is said to be issued to strengthen cooperation with other law enforcement agencies.
Civil authorities have also been advised to be on high alert. While there is no threat, reports suggest that the order has been issued as a precautionary measure.
In Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Times reports that city police and federal officials are preparing to deal with pro-Trump protests.
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U.S. intelligence officials confirmed an increase in online threats to government and law enforcement officials after Trump said on Saturday that he expected to be arrested on Tuesday.
Most of the threats have come against Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Brock, who is expected to file charges against Trump.
On the same Saturday that Trump called on supporters to fight back? Alvin Brock also sent an e-mail to his staff.
“We will not tolerate attempts to threaten the Attorney General’s office or the rule of law in New York,” he said.
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Why is Trump being investigated?
The controversy is that Trump was in a relationship with Stormy Daniels, an American porn actress. Trump, who contested the 2016 US presidential election, completely denied the allegations.
But it is alleged that Trump paid Rs 1.07 crore through his former lawyer Michael Cohen to cover up his relationship with the actress. How Trump funneled the money to Michael Cohen is also currently under investigation.
Trump’s payments to Michelle Cohen were ‘attorney fees,’ documents say.
But prosecutors may argue that Trump falsified his financial records. As far as New York is concerned, this is a misdemeanor. However, legal experts say it could be made a crime, leading to a more serious case.
Who is Stormy Daniels?
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Porn actress Stormy Daniels
Stormy Daniels’ real name is Stephanie Clifford.
In 2016, she accused Donald Trump of sexual harassment in the run-up to the US presidential election. He said in media interviews that he met Trump at a golf exhibition in July 2006.
He said the two had sex in his hotel room in Lake Tahoe, between the states of California and Nevada. Trump’s lawyer flatly denied his allegations at the time.
When asked by reporters whether Trump had asked her to remain silent about her accusations, Stormy Daniels replied, “Trump doesn’t seem upset about it. He’s arrogant.”
Trump – Trump’s wife Melania Trump gave birth to a child around the time Stormy Daniels allegedly had sex.
Will Trump be led away in handcuffs?
NBC reports that Secret Service agents, who are tasked with protecting Trump as the former president, have been instructed to be present during the arrest. The media reported.
But US media say there will be no practice of handcuffed suspects being publicly escorted by officers.
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What happened at the jury trial?
During the last grand jury hearing on Monday, Trump’s legal partner rebutted evidence presented by the prosecution.
Robert Castillo tried to discredit his former lawyer, Michelle Cohen, by saying Trump knew he paid actress Stormy Daniels to cover up the truth.
“I told the jury that Michael Cohen was not going to tell the truth unless he put a cigarette butt to his head,” Castillo told reporters after the 2-hour hearing.
She said Michael Cohen once told her that Trump didn’t know he paid the actress.
MSNBC Michael Cohen responded to this in an interview with the media. He scolded Robert Castillo for not having any sense of truth.
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Backlash for Trump in bid to become president again?
Despite being included in the case, Trump has announced that he will continue to campaign for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination.
But a Reuters/Ipsos poll found that 44 percent of Republicans said Trump should drop out of the race if impeachment is filed.
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