The Village People’s hit YMCA blared from speakers outside of Mar-a-Lago on Tuesday as Donald Trump supporters flocked to his Florida home with a looming indictment.
There was a party atmosphere among MAGA believers in Palm Beach, while New York City tightened security and deployed more police officers around Manhattan’s courthouses.
A Manhattan grand jury is still debating whether to indict former President Donald Trump over hush money payments he made during his 2016 presidential campaign.
Trump and his legal team are now awaiting word from the Manhattan Attorney’s Office if criminal charges are filed. In that case, arrangements will be made for the former President’s surrender and impeachment.
Trump supporters stand outside former President Donald Trump’s club in South Florida’s Mar-a-Lago to show their support for him amid rumors that he could be impeached on March 21, 2023 in New York City.
Trump supporters call a possible indictment politically motivated because Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg (left) is a Democrat and Trump (right) is a Republican
A former president’s incarceration is unprecedented, so his legal team will work closely with the Secret Service, NYPD and other law enforcement officials to ensure a smooth transition from Florida to New York.
As the US prepares for the announcement expected to send shockwaves around the world, his die-hard fans vow to show their support and admiration for Trump.
At least seven pickups and jeeps pulled up in front of the lavish private club, their passengers carrying dozens of banners dedicated to the president.
A supporter, who declined to be named, played classic rock and country music from the speakers in his jacked-up car while Hank Williams Jr.’s “A Country Boy Can Survive” ran behind schedule.
“Trust the plan” was emblazoned on the largest flag (6’x8′) with a smiling photo of Trump.
Other flags read: “Let’s go, Brandon”, “Save America” and “Trump 2024”.
Mike Arnold, 52, a builder and arborist, stood next to his white pickup truck covered in pro-Trump stickers to explain why he had appeared at the drawbridge near Mar-a-Lago at 7am .
“The bottom line is that I support our (former) Commander-in-Chief because he doesn’t give up and fights for us.
“Just as he carries me on his back, I will carry him on my back,” said Arnold, who splits his time between New Hampshire and Ocala, Florida.
He said he believes Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg is part of a larger effort to prevent Trump from returning to the White House.
“If they could stand the charges, which they won’t, but if they could, it would deter Donald J. Trump from running for office ever again in his life,” he said.
The grand jury has investigated Trump’s involvement in a $130,000 payment made to porn actor Stormy Daniels in 2016 to keep her from speaking out about a sexual encounter she said she had years earlier had with him
Police work outside former President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate as supporters and media gather Tuesday, March 21, 2023, in Palm Beach, Florida.
Derek Arnold, of Ocala, Fla., spoke to outside former President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence. “The bottom line is that I support our (former) commander-in-chief because he doesn’t give up and fights for us.”
Maurice Symonette, also known as “Mike the Black Man,” arrived late afternoon with about six supporters, all black. “To District Attorney Alvin Bragg: If you touch Trump, you’re going to be in trouble. We’re going to prosecute your butt,’ Symonette said.
Squirrel, of Polk County, Fla., spoke to outside former President Donald Trump’s club in South Florida’s Mar-a-Lago. “You can charge a ham sandwich and get a conviction. Our system is manipulated. Because of that, I’m here.’
A supporter of former US President Donald Trump attends a gathering outside his resort in Mar-a-Lago after posting a message on his Truth Social account saying he expects to be arrested on Tuesday and urged his supporters to protest in Palm Beach. Florida,
Arnold also suspects Stormy Daniels is trans.
“That’s my opinion, but if you just look at the pictures of Stormy Daniels, she has really broad shoulders. So do we think it’s a woman? We think it could possibly be a man,’ he said.
“Do you think Trump would ever mess with something like that? Or do you think the whole thing might have been a plot against him?’
He also said it’s not our job to convict Trump of an extramarital affair.
Maurice Symonette, also known as “Mike the Black Man,” arrived late afternoon with about six supporters, all black and all wearing white T-shirts that read “Trump Supporters Are Not Racist.”
“To District Attorney Alvin Bragg: If you touch Trump, you’re going to be in trouble. We’re going to prosecute your butt,’ Symonette said.
He also used the n-word several times to refer to Bragg and admitted he did.
“I called you -. That’s right n—-. I can call you one.”
He continued, “Trump is king-size. He is our Savior.” Symonette’s followers chimed in, “That’s right” after each sentence. “If you try to stop him, you’re going to hell, n-“
A man wearing a leather cowboy hat and sunglasses, who goes by only the name Squirrel, says he doesn’t believe the charges against Trump — although none have been listed — are legitimate.
“I’m wondering if it’s already been proven a lie, will they press charges then? You can charge a ham sandwich and get a conviction. Our system is manipulated. Because of that, I’m here.’
“They think that by impeaching him they are reducing his chances of returning to the presidency, but they don’t realize that they are shaking him up. He will be Teflon. He’s going to be the Teflon Don of 2023.’
Debbie Macchia, 57, a hedge fund worker originally from New Jersey but now based in Florida, said she waves a Trump 2024 roadside flag “to support the president.”
She said she doubts Trump had an affair with Stormy Daniels and that she was paid to keep quiet about it.
“Everyone has affairs with everyone, right or wrong. It is what it is. I strongly doubt [the affair], but at the same time it is not a crime. Everyone has different values, right? I will not judge him or anyone else. This is my opinion. He doesn’t have to worry about my opinion, he has to worry about his wife’s.”
Mark B, 54, who declined to give his full name, said he believed the indictments were a plan by Democrats to divert attention from banking problems and the economy.
“Whenever the Democrats get into trouble, they always point it at Trump. It’s a distraction. Nothing is heard from the documents in Brandon’s garage. Now the banks are collapsing. You don’t hear about that anymore.”
The Manhattan grand jury will resume Wednesday to hear additional witnesses.
Trump supporters stand outside former President Donald Trump’s club in South Florida’s Mar-a-Lago to show their support for him amid rumors that he could be impeached on March 21, 2023 in New York City.