How is Pittsburgh law enforcement bracing for possible protests over potential Trump indictment?

PITTSBURGH — Intelligence officials are doing a lot of work behind the scenes in preparation for possible protests and violence Tuesday if former President Donald Trump is indicted by a federal grand jury.

While there are no credible threats in the Pittsburgh area, there is a lot happening around the country. Folks are building a human wall outside of Mar-a-Lago on Palm Beach and officers in full riot gear are putting up barriers around the district attorney’s office in New York City.

If the former president is indicted on campaign finance violations, it would be unprecedented, and Trump is calling for protests. Local Democratic representative Joe McAndrew supports the New York District Attorney’s prosecution of Trump.

“Donald Trump is morally corrupt; he’s been impeached twice and now he’s under indictment,” Rep. McAndrews added. “For this president to go out and call for protests against the government is disgraceful to our nation.”

Some Republicans, including local representative Aaron Bernstein, oppose the DA’s decision, calling it a political powerplay for personal gain.

“It’s very disappointing,” Rep. Bernstein said. “It is completely weaponizing the judicial system. This is something liberals have started to do over the last couple of years and this is now taking it to an extreme level.”

Bernstein said there are more productive ways to affect change than protesting.

“This is just another reason why people have to be involved in the political system,” Rep. Bernstein said. “People electing tyrants like this is something we can never let happen again and never let happen in PA.”

“I’d recommend they stay as far away from any violence or any criminal mischief as they can,” McAndrew added. “There were many people just prosecuted for Jan. 6 and we hope you don’t join them.”

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