The Secret Service has reportedly met with jail officials in New York in anticipation of a possible conviction in former President Donald Trump‘s hush-money case.
A corrections source told CBS News that such preparations were underway as the Manhattan trial reached closing arguments and jury deliberations this week.
The report said corrections officers would be responsible for protecting any Secret Service agents tasked with safeguarding Trump if he spends any time behind bars.
Although the location of where Trump might serve jail time remains unclear, CBS noted shorter sentences can be served at the Rikers Island complex, which has two wings typically used for high-profile inmates.
Trump’s allies expressed outrage in response to the report, criticizing the case brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg and pointing out how the defendant himself is a candidate for the presidency.
“Today the government is trying to throw the leading candidate for President in prison on bogus charges in a city stacked with far left jurors,” political commentator Robby Starbuck said on X.
“The lack of evidence won’t matter to many of these lunatics. Total commies. Trump’s only way out is if some sane people got on the jury,” he added.
Social media influencer Rogan O’Handley, better known as “DC Draino,” said, “If Biden puts Trump in jail, Trump will win in a landslide we haven’t [seen] since Reagan.”
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The case involves 34 felony counts of falsifying business records to allegedly cover up damaging information as part of a “catch-and-kill” scheme to influence the 2016 election.
Trump, who has pleaded not guilty to the charges, is also trying to fend off other criminal matters ahead of a potential 2020 rematch against President Joe Biden in November’s White House contest.
If Trump is convicted in New York, POLITICO said the presiding judge would schedule a separate hearing to determine a sentence. He may not end up serving any prison time, with possible alternatives including probation or community service.
During closing arguments, defense lawyer Todd got a scolding from Judge Juan Merchan for suggesting to the jury that Trump could go to jail if convicted, according to The Washington Post.
“That was outrageous, Mr. Blanche. Someone who’s been a prosecutor as long as you have, someone who’s been an attorney as long as you have knows that is highly inappropriate,” he said.
Merchan also reportedly announced that he would give the jury a curative instruction after a lunch break.
