Trump ‘wants to turn arrest into spectacle’ as police barricade his New York skyscraper
Donald Trump is relishing the idea of a “perp walk” if he is indicted and appears in court, amid reports he wants to turn his arrest into a “spectacle” to fire up his supporters.
The former president told friends he welcomed the idea of being paraded by the authorities, has debated whether he should smile or not for the cameras, and described the potential event as a “fun experience”.
His expected indictment was delayed after the Manhattan grand jury hearing evidence against Mr Trump was postponed on Wednesday without a reason given. Fox News reported that Wednesday’s session was cancelled amid “major dissension” within the district attorney’s office and over concerns the grand jury is not convinced on the evidence.
The pause will likely delay the process into next week, sources said.
Steel barriers were set up outside the Manhattan Criminal Court and Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue as New York remained on high alert for unrest after Mr Trump called for protests.
If, as expected, the 76-year-old is charged by the Manhattan District Attorney’s office for allegedly covering up “hush-money” payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels leading up to the 2016 presidential election, he will be ordered to travel from his home in Florida to hand himself in.
Allies of Mr Trump told the New York Times that he wanted the opportunity to demonstrate to the public he was not skulking away in shame.
“He wants to be defiant – to show the world that if they can try to do this to him, they can do it to anyone,” one source close to Mr Trump told the newspaper.
Legal experts say, however, that if Mr Trump is indicted and surrenders voluntarily, it is very unlikely that police and the court system will treat him the same as any other white-collar defendant.
He would be fingerprinted and a mug shot would be taken, though he is not expected to be “perp-walked” or paraded before the public in handcuffs, New York law enforcement officials have said.
Mr Trump’s attorney, Joe Tacopina, has insisted the process will be orderly.
“There won’t be a standoff at Mar-a-Lago with the Secret Service and the Manhattan DA’s office,” Mr Tacopina told the New York Daily News.
Friends of Mr Trump, who have spent time with him in recent days, claim he appears disconnected from the gravity of the charges he is facing.
