Trump's return to NYC to feature WWII ceremony, protests
The native New Yorker, whose image for decades was interwoven with his brash hometown, is making his first trip back to Manhattan since taking office, returning to New York City on Thursday to mark the anniversary of an important World War II battle by making a speech on a decommissioned aircraft carrier docked on the Hudson River.
The turnout is uncertain, but activists are using Facebook and other social media to call on protesters to gather at several locations throughout the city to voice opposition to his immigration, health care and other policies.
Hundreds of police officers will be assigned to secure Trump's Intrepid appearance, with more on standby on surrounding blocks if needed to make arrests.
A show of force is already a fixture at Trump Tower, where the Secret Service and heavily armed NYPD officers have used barricades, checkpoints and street closings to secure the iconic skyscraper where the president has a penthouse apartment.
Manhattan was the imposing backdrop as Trump transformed himself from local real-estate developer to celebrity businessman — skyscrapers and gossip pages featured his name — and during last year's presidential campaign he'd fly thousands of miles to sleep in his own bed at Trump Tower.
According to police officials, the department spends up to $146,000 a day to protect the First Lady and their son while he's away, and anticipate the cost to jump to more than $300,000 when he's there.