MIAMI – Tight security outside the Wilkie D. Ferguson federal courthouse in Miami saw early protesters gather around the area ahead of former President Donald Trump’s historic court appearance.
Before Trump learns the 37 charges for allegedly knowingly withholding classified records, both supporters and critics have been gathering near the courthouse.
The protesters, however, are outnumbered by the hundreds of journalists who are in downtown Miami to cover the historic case.
Trump himself had encouraged his supporters to join a planned protest Tuesday at the Miami courthouse.
Among those who arrived in Miami early Tuesday morning were Florencio and Kevin Rodríguez (father and son), who came to the United States 15 years ago as asylum seekers fleeing Cuba. Wearing a T-shirt reading “Jesus is my savior, Trump is my president,” the younger Rodriguez, Kevin, said Trump may be guilty of illegally withholding classified documents.
But he questioned the fairness of the proceedings in light of what he said was prosecutors’ lax attitude toward President Joe Biden and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Both have been charged with mishandling classified intelligence and did not appear in court, though neither have they faced charges of intentionally concealing their actions, as Trump has.
“Even if he is guilty, we will continue to support him,” Rodríguez said, noting the Trump administration’s staunch opposition to the Cuban government. “We never abandon our friends, those who love this country and our freedom.”
Jack Kaplan said he drove two hours from Fort Pierce, where the judge assigned to the case is located, to counter the large number of Trump supporters who had already begun showing up in front of the federal courthouse in Miami.
With a copy of the indictment taped to a clipboard and a sign reading “Trump is toasty,” the 68-year-old retired car salesman said he will celebrate with a $1,400 bottle of Mouton Rothschild red wine if the former president goes to prison. .
“I already have the bottle in my wine cooler,” Kaplan said as a Trump supporter carrying a “Keep America Great” sign coolly walked by. “I’m going to throw a big party.”
POLICE MOBILIZATION AND SECURITY
Meanwhile, Miami police said that at approximately 10:28 a.m. they responded to help the Department of Homeland Security investigate a suspicious object located near North Miami Avenue between 3rd and 4th Streets. Traffic was temporarily closed and subsequently Around noon it became clear that it was a monitor with a message that one of the protesters had posted. The object did not prove to be a threat and was removed without incident.
Former President Donald Trump must appear at 3:00 p.m. in federal court in Miami, where a special prosecutor will file charges against you in the case of classified documentsreason why the local authorities are preparing to carry out an extensive security operation.
The mayor of Miami, Francis Suárez, and the police chief, Manny Morales, explained details of the security measures and road closures in the presence of former President Trump and in view of the possibility of protests in Downtown Miami. city, where the court is.
This Tuesday the closure of streets in the center of the city was reported. “Today, June 13, 2023, Former President of the United States, Donald J. Trump, will be within the Downtown Miami area at the Federal Court Building located at 300 1st Avenue Northeast (NE) and, by Therefore, traffic delays are expected,” police said.
Beginning at approximately 10:00 am roads in the area from NE 1st Avenue between NE 3rd and 5th Streets will be closed. “We strongly advise travelers to avoid the area and seek alternative routes, if possible,” Miami police said.
Suárez said on Monday that the police presence would be increased in the streets near the court, so some streets will be closed. The mayor pointed out that they expect some demonstrations for Tuesday and that the rights to demonstrate will be respected as long as they are done within the framework of the law.
The Miami police chief said they are prepared to act if necessary, but clarified that they expect the demonstrations to be peaceful.
“We are ready and prepared to keep our city safe,” he said. Additionally, he warned that some roads will be closed and asked the residents of Downtown Miami for patience.
In case of protests, he assured that they are ready to act, whether 5,000 or 50,000 demonstrate. “We are ready to act and we are comfortable with that,” Morales said.
He added that they take this incident very seriously and that they work in coordination with federal and local authorities. At the same time, he pointed out that to offer security in the federal court and its surroundings, they work together with the Miami-Dade police. He clarified that so far they have not requested support from the National Guard.
Trump will spend the night of this Monday at the Trump National Doral resort, from where he is expected to travel to court.
THE EXPERT’S OPINION
“The protection operation is coordinated between all local and federal agencies and they will have points where there will be agents from the FBI, Secret Service and local police at strategic points along the route of the former president,” explained Manuel Ortega, a retired FBI agent.
The Justice and Homeland Security departments are sending additional federal agents to Miami ahead of former President Trump’s historic appearance.
Ortega explained that, in terms of security, the skies will be controlled, the entire environment, around the prosecutor’s office, which is the court, the route to be taken will be planned with the Secret Service to maintain strict control.
The City of Miami Police Department, for its part, indicated in a statement that it will work in conjunction with other local, state and federal agencies “to provide any necessary assistance in the form of personnel, resources, diversions and/or road closures. “.
Ortega explained that elements of the Secret Service tactical team, SWAT tactical teams, local FBI teams and those brought in from abroad will participate, and they will be strategically distributed in different parts of the city in case there is an event that needs to be attended. reply.
The Secret Service indicated for its part that there will be no “special accommodations” for former President Trump in Miami, beyond what is normally necessary to guarantee his safety.
