Atlanta-area police are remaining alert following Donald Trump\u2019s calls for supporters to protest ahead of what he says is his imminent arrest in a New York grand jury investigation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In a statement released Sunday to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Atlanta Police Department said it \u201cis aware of these events, and we will continue to monitor them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe stand ready to respond to demonstrations to ensure the safety of those in our communities and those exercising their First Amendment right, or to address illegal activity, should the need arise.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
State officials aren\u2019t disclosing specific plans, but a spokesman for the Georgia State Patrol said: \u201cWe are monitoring all intelligence and will work cooperatively and appropriately with local and other state law enforcement agencies.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The New York grand jury is investigating alleged hush money payments to women who have said they had sexual encounters with the former president. Aside from that inquiry, Trump faces a separate criminal investigation in Fulton County over his alleged efforts to undo the results of Georgia\u2019s 2020 election. A Justice Department special counsel has also been presenting evidence before a grand jury investigating Trump\u2019s possession of hundreds of classified documents at his Florida estate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Security has been tight in Atlanta from the beginning of Fulton\u2019s special purpose grand jury investigation of Trump with officers armed with assault rifles stationed outside the downtown courthouse. Fulton District Attorney Fani Willis told the AJC last year she needed to ramp up security at home and at the office because of the case, including acquiring bulletproof vests for her lead prosecutors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In a post Saturday on his Truth Social digital platform, Trump declared: \u201cWE JUST CAN\u2019T ALLOW THIS ANYMORE. THEY\u2019RE KILLING OUR NATION AS WE SIT BACK & WATCH. WE MUST SAVE AMERICA! PROTEST, PROTEST, PROTEST!!!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Trump also said he expected to be arrested as soon as Tuesday amid the New York grand jury probe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He posted earlier Saturday, also in all capital letters, about his ire over the state of America: \u201cTHE FAR & AWAY LEADING REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE & FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, WILL BE ARRESTED ON TUESDAY OF NEXT WEEK. PROTEST, TAKE OUR NATION BACK!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite his Truth Social posts, Trump\u2019s lawyer and spokesperson said there had been no communication from prosecutors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Republicans voiced support for Trump as his campaign solicited donations to help fight a possible indictment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe idea of indicting a former president of the United States is deeply troubling to me as it is to tens of millions of Americans,\u201d former Vice President Mike Pence, a likely Trump rival, said during a visit to Iowa, an early-voting state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But for some observers, Trump\u2019s calls to action were reminiscent of the rhetoric he used shortly before the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. After hearing Trump at a Washington rally that morning, his supporters marched to the Capitol and tried to stop the congressional certification of Joe Biden\u2019s White House victory, breaking through doors and windows of the building and leaving officers beaten and bloodied.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Debbie Dooley, a Trump supporter and one of the founders of the tea party movement, tweeted some ways to show support for the former president: \u201cDon\u2019t congregate in large crowds\u201d and \u201cMake sure you are nice and courteous.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe need to take to the streets in peaceful protests\/sign wavings showing we support Trump,\u201d she wrote in a follow-up tweet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Important points about Tuesday and a show of support for Trump.<\/p>\n\n\n\n