'There’s going to be a disaster': Trump confidants fear MAGA courthouse protests could hurt his defense

13 June 2023

Former President Donald Trump's arraignment on a 37-count criminal indictment is scheduled for Tuesday, June 13 at 3 p.m. in a federal courthouse in Miami. MAGA Republicans are furious, joining Trump in attacking special counsel Jack Smith's prosecution as a baseless "witch hunt" — which is also what they have been saying about the 34-count prosecution Trump is facing in New York State from Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, Jr.

Some MAGA Republicans are planning pro-Trump protests in Miami, including a rally organized by self-described "proud Islamophobe" Laura Loomer and promoted by veteran GOP operative Roger Stone. A separate rally, according to Palm Beach's WJNO-AM, is being organized by members of the violent Proud Boys; Loomer has said she isn't part of that event.

According to the Daily Beast's Zachary Petrizzo, some Trump advisers fear that these Miami protests could hurt Trump's defense — especially if they turn violent.

In an article published on June 13, Petrizzo reports that a "long-time adviser" to Trump "thought the idea of a rally was unwise, suggesting that Loomer and Stone were not the best people to assemble a responsible crowd."

Another Trump ally, interviewed on condition of anonymity, told the Beast, "Inside of this event, there is going to be a disaster. There are going to be people that come out that don't want to be peaceful. All the things that are wrong with MAGA are going to show up. You get the fanatics coming out."

A "Trump confidant," according to Petrizzo, told the Beast, "Look at some of the people responding. It's scary."

Petrizzo reports, "Loomer has implored supporters to bring 'Trump flags, Trump shirts, Trump hats, Trump signs, bullhorns and your love of President Trump' to the Miami courthouse where Trump will be arraigned. And even though she's repeatedly warned supporters to remain peaceful, there are real concerns about the crowd that may show up. After the January 6 attack on the Capitol, those concerns are very real."

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