Trump preparing for Tuesday indictment as lawyer vows he is ‘ready for this fight’

Former US president Donald Trump is preparing for his court hearing on Tuesday, where he will face charges related to hush money payments made to a porn star.

He plans to fly from his Mar-a-Lago home in Florida to New York City on Monday and return to Florida after his hearing, where he will address his supporters.

Trump has denied any wrongdoing and his lawyer has promised to fight the charges vigorously.

“He’s someone who’s going to be ready for this fight,” Joe Tacopina told ABC’s This Week programme on Sunday.

“We’re ready for this fight. And I look forward to moving this thing along as quickly as possible to exonerate him.”

Media reports suggest he will be facing more than 30 charges related to business fraud over a $130,000 payout to Stormy Daniels in 2016.

Details of the charges remain under seal, but sources have said that the former president is being charged with falsifying business records in the first degree – a felony under US law.

Law enforcement officials have been preparing for Tuesday, and the New York Police Department has reportedly intensified security measures in anticipation of any protests around the city.

A rally for Trump with Republican House Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene has been scheduled for noon on Tuesday, calling for supporters to join in “peaceful protest” against the indictment.

Trump is the first US president – sitting or former – to be charged with a criminal felony.