Officials in New York and Washington, DC, are preparing for potential protests as a grand jury empaneled as part of the investigation into Donald Trump's alleged role in a scheme to pay hush money to adult film star Stormy Daniels continues to weigh possible charges.

The criminal probe of the former president was triggered by these Wall Street Journal articles concerning a payment to a porn star.

Claiming his arrest is imminent, Trump has sought to rally his base around him, urging supporters in a post on his Truth Social platform to “protest, take our nation back!” Security has tightened around the Lower Manhattan courthouse where grand jurors have met for weeks to hear witness testimony.

Breaking his silence on Donald Trump's legal troubles, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday criticized the Manhattan district attorney who is pursuing charges against the former president and vowed his office would not be involved if the matter trickles into Trump's adopted home state.

The former president is expected to be indicted soon by a grand jury for his role in a hush money payment made to porn star Stormy Daniels on the eve of the 2016 election.

Robert Costello said he told the grand jury Cohen essentially acted alone in paying Stormy Daniels. Cohen disputed the account on MSNBC, saying Costello has his "facts twisted."

Robert J Costello, scheduled to appear before New York grand jury on Monday, likely to question Trump accuser’s credibility