Protests, Traffic, Crowds: Court Braces for a Trump Trial Like No Other
The New York Times
Strict security measures — and plenty of headaches — are expected as the first criminal trial of a former U.S. president gets underway in Manhattan.
Manhattan’s Criminal Courts Building, at 100 Centre Street, is short on charm: circled in scaffolding, lit like an aging cafeteria and, in recent months, neighbor to a colossal pile of rubble, the remains of the Manhattan Detention Complex, which is being demolished.
Yet come Monday, it will be the pulsing center of a swirling mass of security measures, and likely headaches, as the first criminal trial of Donald J. Trump kicks off on its 15th floor.
Court and law enforcement personnel have been tight-lipped about the exact steps they are taking, but a court lawyer said at a hearing this week that preparations had been underway for months.
They will have plenty to contend with. Right-wing supporters of the former president have already announced plans to protest near the courthouse on Monday as jury selection begins, and cable news networks have promised wall-to-wall coverage of the case.
Security for Mr. Trump, who is being tried on charges that he falsified business records to cover up a hush-money payment to a porn star ahead of the 2016 election, will undoubtedly be high. Strict protective measures will also be in place for Alvin L. Bragg, the Manhattan district attorney who brought the case, and Juan M. Merchan, the judge who is trying it.
Though Mr. Trump is required to be in court every day it is in session, he can ask the judge and prosecutors to excuse him if he wishes to be absent.
