Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg speaks to attendees through the National Motion Network National Convention in Latest York, April 7, 2022.
Eduardo Munoz | Reuters
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg sent an email to his staff Saturday assuring them that their safety is “top priority” after former President Donald Trump called on his supporters to protest over his supposedly imminent indictment.
“We don’t tolerate attempts to intimidate our office or threaten the rule of law in Latest York,” Bragg said within the memo, which was obtained by NBC News from a senior official on the Manhattan DA’s office.
Bragg’s office has been investigating Trump’s reference to a hush-money payment made to porn star Stormy Daniels during his first run for president in 2016. In a social media post on Saturday, Trump said that he expects to be arrested Tuesday, citing leaks from the “corrupt” DA’s office. He urged his supporters to protest on his behalf.
“THE FAR & AWAY LEADING REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE & FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, WILL BE ARRESTED ON TUESDAY OF NEXT WEEK,” Trump wrote on his social media site Truth Social early Saturday morning. “PROTEST, TAKE OUR NATION BACK!”
A grand jury has been hearing testimony related to the 2016 payoff on the state Criminal Court in lower Manhattan, but no public announcements have been made about when or if Trump will likely be indicted. Law enforcement agencies across Latest York have been making security arrangements within the case that the previous president is criminally charged.
Bragg’s email didn’t reference Trump or his comments directly, but he reassured staffers that he’s “committed to maintaining a protected work environment.” The e-mail was first reported by Politico. Bragg said his office will proceed to coordinate with officials on the Latest York Police Department and the Office of Court Administration.
“Our law enforcement partners will be sure that any specific or credible threats against the office will likely be fully investigated and that the right safeguards are in place so all 1,600 of us have a secure work environment,” Bragg wrote.