Trump faces a judge TODAY at 4 p.m. for attempting to overturn the 2020 election: DC increases security for the ex-president’s third indictment

Donald Trump is being called to appear in court Thursday afternoon on the latest allegations that he conspired to overturn the 2020 election results – but it’s still not clear if the ex-president will appear in DC

Special Counsel Jack Smith announced the four new charges on Tuesday following an investigation into Trump’s involvement in the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot and efforts to stop Congress from certifying the 2020 election.

A grand jury voted to indict Trump on conspiracy to defraud the US, conspiracy against citizens’ rights, obstruction and attempted obstruction of official proceedings, and witness tampering.

Law enforcement officers erected barriers around the E. Barrett Prettyman Courthouse on Constitution Avenue in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday night in preparation for Trump’s appearance.

Trump’s schedule for today has remained changeable, and it’s still unclear whether he will appear in person for the indictment or possibly hold a post-indictment press conference. When he shows up, the ex-president is booked and processed by US Marshals and fingerprints are taken

If he does appear, Trump will likely plead not guilty to all four charges. His schedule for the day remains mixed, while his team does not rule out the possibility of a post-indictment press conference on Thursday.

Trump is expected to face a barrage of cameras, supporters and even protesters as he is booked and processed by the US Marshals Service. He will be fingerprinted, but no mug shot will be taken.

The indictment is overseen by Biden-appointed magistrate judge Moxila Upadhyaya — another judge will hear the criminal trial.

Trump’s biggest competitor in 2024, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said after news of the indictment broke that Americans should have the legal ability to move their cases outside of D.C. jurisdiction because “swamp mentality” could put jurors meet.

The ex-president agrees, posting on his Truth Social Tuesday night that it’s “impossible” that he will get a fair trial in D.C.

“The latest bogus ‘case’ brought by Crooked Joe Biden & Deranged Jack Smith will hopefully be moved to an impartial venue such as the politically unbiased nearby state of West Virginia!” he wrote on his social media platform. “IMPOSSIBLE to get a fair trial in Washington, D.C., which is more than 95% anti-Trump, and for which I have called for a federal TAKEOVER to make our capitol great again.”

He added: “It is now a great crime that embarrasses our nation and, indeed, the world. This charge is all about election interference!!!”

The US Capitol Police, the Metropolitan Police Department, Park Police, Marshals Service and the Federal Protective Service are all on high alert for the indictment and have been preparing for the indictment in recent weeks.

“We are prepared for tomorrow,” Thomas Manger, the Capitol police chief, told reporters on Wednesday.

Media began outside the courthouse on Constitution Ave on Wednesday

Trump says it’s ‘impossible’ for him to have a ‘fair trial in Washington, D.C.’ because the nation’s capital is ‘more than 95% anti-Trump’ – he urged his case be moved to the “politically nonpartisan nearby state of West Virginia”

City workers set up bike racks and other barriers around the E. Barrett Prettyman United States Courthouse on Tuesday and Wednesday

US Capitol Police, the Metropolitan Police Department, Park Police, Marshals Service and the Federal Protective Service are all on high alert to the charges

Also on Wednesday, there was a false report of an active gunman on Capitol Hill, leading Senate buildings into place during the scare.

The various law enforcement agencies made several calls on Wednesday to discuss plans for the day.

The indictments and growing legal woes facing Trump only bolster his support among Republican voters.

In March, before his first indictment, Trump earned 43 percent of the GOP primary, according to a RealClearPolitics average. A day after being charged in the case involving hush money payments to Stormy Daniels, his support jumped to 50 percent in the same tracking.

A few months later, in early June, Trump was indicted for a second time on 37 charges related to mishandling classified documents he knew about while he was president. His poll average jumped again to 55 percent.

Polls on RealClearPolitics only track until Monday, August 1 — a day before the third and final indictment — but it still shows Trump well in the lead against his 14 GOP challengers.

A protester in a striped prisoner’s suit stands outside the courthouse on Wednesday holding up a photoshopped image of a bald Trump in an orange prison suit with the words, “You do the crime you pay the time.” Your time is over’