On Friday evening, Fox News reported that sources informed them that former President Donald Trump was going to be arrested as soon as next week. The charges being investigated were related to payments made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels before the 2016 presidential race. The investigators had invited Trump to testify before a grand jury, which often indicates that an indictment is imminent.

“Some sources familiar with the planning said they will go over security preparations in and around the courthouse and lower Manhattan. Secret Service will take the lead in what they will allow or will not allow. The source cautioned, mentioning for instance, that the decision to handcuff the president, or former President or not. They will set the tone and will escort him into the courtroom,” Fox reported.

According to Fox, the Manhattan District Attorney’s office had requested a meeting with law enforcement ahead of a potential indictment against Trump. The meeting was requested to discuss logistics for sometime next week, which suggested that the investigators anticipated an indictment was forthcoming.

The investigation was centered around whether Trump had made a $130,000 payment to Daniels before his successful 2016 presidential run. Prosecutors allege that the payment was made to keep Daniels quiet about an affair, which Trump has long denied having. While Trump denied knowing about the payments, they were made through his attorney. Trump’s current attorney stated that even if Trump knew about the payments, he couldn’t have publicly acknowledged it because the settlement came with a non-disclosure requirement.

Sources familiar with the situation told Fox that the planning would involve security preparations in and around the courthouse and lower Manhattan. The Secret Service would lead the coordination, deciding what they would or would not allow. The source warned that the decision to handcuff Trump would be made and that they would set the tone and escort him into the courtroom.

“There will be coordination between all of us,” the source said. “But we will defer to the Secret Service. The battle will be between the Secret Service and DA Alvin Bragg. They will decide how and when he’ll get into the building and they are not going to leave him.”

It is unclear at this point whether the reported arrest will indeed take place. However, if an indictment does occur, it would be a significant event as a former president has never been indicted before. It would also add to the legal challenges that Trump currently faces. In addition to the Stormy Daniels case, Trump is also under investigation for his role in the January 6th insurrection at the Capitol, as well as for his financial dealings and taxes.

If an indictment is forthcoming, it would be an indication that the investigation into Trump’s alleged misdeeds is nearing its conclusion. However, it is also possible that this development could spark further legal challenges, as Trump and his supporters have consistently denied any wrongdoing.

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