According to internal memos Pittsburgh Police are preparing for riots if Trump fires Mueller.
Pittsburgh Police are gearing up for possible protests in the event President Donald Trump fires special counsel Robert Mueller.
A memo went out to the police department from Victor Joseph, commander of the Pittsburgh Bureau of police.
In the memo the department’s detectives are instructed to begin wearing a full uniform and carrying riot gear with them in anticipation of massive protests.
Police believe the protest would happen within 24 hours of Mueller’s firing.
“There is a belief that President Trump will soon move to fire Special Prosecutor Mueller. This would result in a large protest within 24 hours of the firing,†the emails states.
“We have received information of a potential large scale protest in the Central Business District. The protest would be semi-spontaneous and more than likely happen on short notice,†the email says. “Beginning Thursday, all Major Crimes detectives are required to bring a full uniform and any issued protective equipment (riot gear) with them to work until further notice.â€
Public Safety Director Wendell Hissrich confirmed that the decision was precautionary and not based on any specific intelligence.
Hissrich released a statement about the possible protests:
“The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police receives information daily that we evaluate and prepare for if the event should occur. Events can include anything from extreme weather to potential demonstrations.
“Often the events we prepare for do not occur. However, through an abundance of caution, we attempt to adequately prepare for an appropriate response.
“We receive information regularly about potential events and/or threats, assess the credibility of the information and plan for a potential event. In this case, we have not assessed the credibility of the potential for disturbances, and we do not have any knowledge of the President’s decision-making process.â€
At this point, Trump has shown no signs of firing Robert Mueller. However, after the raid on Michael Cohen, Trump’s lawyer Mueller’s overseer Rod Rosenstein has come onto the hot seat. Mitch McConnell has also decided not to hold a vote on bills to protect Robert Mueller citing he doesn’t think Trump would fire him.
