Tight security planned for Trump hush money trial

Former President Trump’s hush money trial is scheduled to begin Monday in New York City, and security is set to be tight.  

The U.S. Secret Service, New York City Police Department and New York State Unified Court System released statements Friday saying they are working together to “ensure the highest level” of safety and security for the upcoming legal proceedings.

“The U.S. Secret Service is prepared to effectively carry out our protective mission here in New York,” Patrick J. Freaney, the special agent in charge from the Secret Service’s New York field office, said in a statement. “While operational security precludes us from going into specifics, the U.S. Secret Service will not seek any special accommodations outside of what would be required to ensure the continued safety of the former president.”

Trump has been charged with falsifying business records in relation to the hush money payments that his former fixer, Michael Cohen, made to porn star Stormy Daniels, to cover up an alleged affair ahead of the 2016 presidential election.

The case is the first of the former president’s to head to trial, as well as the first criminal trial of a former president.

Trump’s repeated attempts to delay the trial past Election Day have been denied. He has argued the trial should be postponed indefinitely because of the barrage of media coverage of the case, saying the publicity prejudices potential jurors.

New York City Police Department Commissioner Edward Caban said planning for a high-profile security event like the trial is “very familiar ground” for local law enforcement.

“Our longstanding relationships with each of our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners, including the U.S. Secret Service and the New York State Unified Court System, will help secure the courthouse and everyone inside, facilitate peaceful assembly outside the building, and maintain the safe flow of vehicular and pedestrian traffic in the surrounding areas for the duration of the proceedings,” Caban said in a statement.

The New York State Unified Court System emphasized a similar message. The court officers are “highly trained and experienced in managing high-profile trials,” Chief of Department Michael Magliano said in a statement.

Magliano said his team is ready to protect the safety of everyone in the courthouse, including trial participants, the media and the general public.

Jury selection in the case begins Monday. The trial is expected to last six to eight weeks, and Trump is required to be in court every day.