On the day the “hush-money” trial began in New York, former President Donald Trump urged potential demonstrators to “go out and peacefully demonstrate” against the case.
In a post on Truth Social before heading to the courthouse on Monday morning, President Trump questioned why pro-Palestinian protesters are allowed to “roam cities, scream, shout, sit, block traffic, enter buildings, not get permits, and basically do whatever they want,” while pro-Trump supporters are “rudely and systematically shut down and ushered off to far away ‘holding areas,’ essentially denying them their Constitutional Rights.”
“America Loving Protesters should be permitted to protest at the front steps of Courthouses, all over the Country,” stated the former president on social media, referring to demonstrators who have gathered in front of the Manhattan courthouse where his trial is taking place.
He continued, asserting that such protests are “allowed for those who are destroying our Country on the Radical Left, a two-tiered system of justice.” He concluded by saying, “Free Speech and Assembly has been ‘CHILLED’ for USA SUPPORTERS.”
“GO OUT AND PEACEFULLY PROTEST. RALLY BEHIND MAGA. SAVE OUR COUNTRY!” Former President Donald Trump urged his supporters.
On Monday morning, President Trump also mentioned leftist pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University in New York City, as indicated in another post he shared before heading into the courthouse.
“Unlike at Columbia University where the Radical Left Palestinian Protesters sat on the Front Lawn, practically took over the School, and screamed, ‘Death to the Jews, Death to Israel, Death to America,’ and nothing happened to them, Lower Manhattan surrounding the Courthouse, where I am heading now, is completely CLOSED DOWN. SO UNFAIR!!!” he wrote on Truth Social.
Upon entering the courthouse on Monday, President Trump refrained from speaking with members of the media, a departure from his occasional interactions with reporters during last week’s jury selection process.
Reporters at the scene noted that a small gathering of anti-Trump protesters could be seen outside the courthouse prior to the start of opening statements, chanting, “No one is above the law,” while both media representatives and members of the public formed lines to enter. Whether any pro-Trump demonstrators heeded the former president’s call on social media remains uncertain.
Authorities had considered closing Collect Pond Park across the street following an incident last week where a man, later identified as a left-wing activist, set himself on fire. However, as of Monday, the park remained open to the public, including protesters. Officials confirmed over the weekend that the individual who self-immolated had passed away.
