Will Trump be indicted TODAY? US braces for arrest and grand jury could hear from last key witness

Today could be the day that Donald Trump is handed down his indictment from Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg in the case of the ex-president’s hush money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels.

The grand jury in the case against Trump is meeting again on Wednesday in New York City as NYPD officers maintain an increased presence amid concerns of unrest should the court decide to go forward with an arrest.

Meanwhile, Trump is steering clear of the city he once called home, instead hunkering down at his new Palm Beach, Florida residence at his Mar-a-Lago club.

While the indictment could come Wednesday, Trump would not appear before a judge in New York until next week, DailyMail.com has learned.

Police are maintaining a prevalent presence in New York City on Wednesday as the country bracing for an indictment against former President Donald Trump. Pictured: An officer walks near chalk graffiti saying, ‘No one is above the law’ outside the offices of the Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg

New York State Courts officers set up barricades outside the criminal court on Wednesday morning amid reports that March 22, 2023 could be the day Trump is handed down an indictment in the case involving a hush money payment to Stormy Daniels

‘There will be no arraignment this week,’ a source familiar with the proceedings said on Tuesday.

After formal charges are handed down, the Manhattan District Attorney’s office will reach out to Trump and his Secret Service detail to make arrangements for his surrender, according to the insider.

Trump warned over the weekend that he could be indicted as early as Tuesday, but law enforcement sources told DailyMail.com that the earliest action would likely be on Wednesday since the panel is expected to hear from another witness. 

It is still unclear who this witness may be.

NYPD remains on high alert after all 36,000 officers were instructed to be in uniform and on standby for deployment.

Washington, D.C.’s Metro Police Department is also bracing for unrest – hoping to avoid another January 6-like event if the former president is indicted.

As Trump prepares for his first potential indictment, another case against him is heating up in Washington, D.C., where the judge overseeing the Mar-a-Lago classified documents inquiry ruled that a lawyer for the former president should be forced to appear before the grand jury.  

D.C. District Court Judge Beryl Howell ruled on Tuesday that Trump may have intentionally hidden the existence of even more classified records at Mar-a-Lago from his lawyer Evan Corcoran.

Corcoran appeared before the grand jury in January, and repeatedly used attorney-client privilege as the reason for not answering their questions. But now, ABC News and CNN confirmed that Corcoran should return before the panel.

The Trump team was required to submit a briefing on Tuesday evening , with the Justice Department’s response due by 6 a.m. on Wednesday morning. 

A New York State Courts Officer sets up a barricade outside the DA’s office on Wednesday morning as protests are expected to continue in NYC

A member of NYPD with a police dog performs a search outside the Manhattan Criminal Court on Wednesday morning before protesters arrive again to demonstrate for and against Trump’s indictment

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The search comes after multiple threats, including a bomb threat, were made via 9-1-1 call on Tuesday. All 36,000 NYPD officers were told to be in uniform and on standby for deployment on Tuesday and will continue a presence on Wednesday

Trump continues to deny the substance of the allegations of a sexual relationship with porn star Stormy Daniels – his lawyer called the $130,000 hush money a ‘nuisance payment’ that wealthy or famous people sometimes use to make a distracting situation disappear

Trump is remaining hunkered down at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach, Florida. Supporters have gathered outside the club this week at the encouragement of the ex-president for them to protest a potential indictment

Trump’s Boeing 757, dubbed ‘Trump Force One’, sits outside at Palm Beach International Airport with the stairs setup and engine turbines on and spinning the morning of Monday, March 22, 2023 in West Palm Beach, Florida

Trump allegedly paid Daniels $130,000 in the midst of the 2016 presidential campaign instructing her to stay quiet about their affair, with sources telling DailyMail.com that his goal was to make sure it didn’t get back to his wife Melania.

The Wall Street Journal first reported the existence of the payment on January 12, 2018 – just one year into Trump’s presidency. The ex-president’s personal attorney at the time, Michael Cohen, released a statement a month later acknowledging the payment for the first time.

Trump supporters and haters flooded streets in New York City and around Mar-a-Lago this week arguing for or against his imprisonment.

Supporters gathered outside Trump Tower in Manhattan and along the road leading to Trump’s Florida residence on Monday and Tuesday after the former president urged his loyal base in a Truth Social post to ‘protest, protest, protest’ his potential imminent indictment.

A police truck set up outside Manhattan court offices on Wednesday, March 22, 2023

Some began to worry that this social media post would lead to political violence and another scene like what happened at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.

Police took to the streets in NYC again early on Wednesday morning, preparing for the worst should Trump be indicted or arrested.

Outside the Manhattan courthouse were also stationed counter protesters, demanding that Trump be arrested and put behind bars.

Trump posted to his Truth Social platform on Tuesday night a report from Fox News claiming, ‘Sources say there’s real chance DA may choose not to charge Trump as rumors swirl.’