In a Saturday post on his Truth Social website, Trump railed against any pending charges and called on supporters like Lejeune to protest. “LEADING REPUBLIC CANDIDATE AND FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA WILL BE ARRESTED TUESDAY NEXT WEEK,” Trump tweeted. “PROTEST, BRING OUR NATION BACK!”
Trump's words, reminiscent of his remarks before his supporters attacked the Capitol, prompted New York authorities prepare for the possibility of violent protests. Dozens of uniformed police were scattered in the area around the courthouse, which was largely surrounded by metal barricades.
On Tuesday morning, it was business as usual at the courthouse where the defendants appeared for scheduled arraignments. Outside, however, the presence of demonstrators, media and onlookers caused at least one security guard to remark: “This is crazy!”
Around 9 a.m., DesLauriers and about 10 other anti-Trump demonstrators gathered in front of cameras outside the court, holding signs that read “TIK TOK, TIME'S UP!” and “JUSTICE IS IMPORTANT!”
A counter-protester soon arrived with a sign that linked Bragg to Jewish philanthropist and donor George Soroswho was misspelled on the man's sign as “Geogre” – something that was soon mocked by anti-Trump demonstrators. “Anti-Semites are not the best spellers,” DesLauriers said.
Some media outlets often had difficulty distinguishing who were legitimate pro-Trump protesters and who were parodying them. Walter Masterson, comedian dressed in MAGA clothing. to interview Trump fanswas filmed by multiple news cameras as he held a megaphone and called on police to “arrest Hunter Biden's laptop!”
“Nancy Pelosi and George Soros developed the banking system and Animal CrossingMasterson joked.
Nearby, a man drinking a large can of Coors Banquet beer shouted that Biden stole the last election by orchestrating the voter fraud of dead people.
“Prove it! Have another beer!” a counter-protester shouted at the man, who was later seen drinking a large can of Foster's whiskey.
Joanna, a 19-year-old New Yorker who declined to give her last name, said she came to the courthouse with two friends to see the spectacle for herself. “This is a historical sign!” Joanna remarked excitedly after she was given a sign that read, “Trump Defeated.”
