Former President Donald Trump’s call for protests ahead of his anticipated indictment in New York has generated muted reactions from supporters. Even some of his most ardent loyalists dismiss the idea as a waste of time or a law enforcement trap. This raises questions about whether Trump, despite being a leading contender for the 2024 presidential race who retains a devoted following, still has the power to mobilize far-right supporters. Law enforcement is monitoring online chatter warning of protests and violence if Trump is arrested, with threats varying in specificity and credibility. While the New York Young Republican Club has announced plans for a protest at an undisclosed location in Manhattan on Monday, many of Trump’s former supporters have expressed regret and contrition for their actions during the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. Since then, about 1,000 participants have been arrested, many facing steep legal bills and complaining of feeling abandoned by Trump. Conspiracy theories that the riot was fueled or even set up by undercover law enforcement informants in the crowd have continued to flourish online, with Trump supporters citing that angst as a basis for steering clear of a new large-scale protest.

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