News
Court Prepares for Unprecedented Trump Trial Amid Protests, Traffic, and Crowds
As Manhattan’s Criminal Courts Building, located at 100 Centre Street, prepares for the highly anticipated criminal trial of former President Donald J. Trump, the atmosphere is tense and the security measures are ramping up. The building itself may not be the most appealing, surrounded by scaffolding and neighboring a demolition site, but it is gearing up to be the epicenter of a trial like no other.
Preparations for this trial have been quietly underway for months, with court and law enforcement personnel remaining tight-lipped about the specifics. However, as jury selection is set to begin on Monday, right-wing supporters of Trump have already announced plans for protests near the courthouse, adding to the already heightened tension.
The trial revolves around charges that Trump falsified business records to cover up a hush-money payment to a porn star before the 2016 election. Security for Trump, the Manhattan district attorney Alvin L. Bragg, and Judge Juan M. Merchan will be extraordinarily high. Trump is required to be present in court every day, but has the option to request to be excused.
The former president has hinted at the possibility of testifying in the case, adding to the media frenzy that is expected to surround the trial. Trump’s presence, as well as the associated traffic and crowds, could create significant disruptions in Lower Manhattan, especially during his commute from Trump Tower to the courthouse.
With the anticipation of protests and counterprotests, as well as long lines for security checks, the court environment is expected to be chaotic. Additionally, Trump’s potential campaigning at his office tower near the courthouse adds another layer of complexity to an already tense situation.
Calls for protests from Trump’s allies are already being answered, with right-wing activist Laura Loomer planning to be present with a camera crew. Loomer’s presence is expected to bring controversy, as she has been critical of Justice Merchan’s daughter and has a history of provocative actions.
The New York Young Republican Club is also planning rallies near the courthouse, indicating the divisive nature of the trial. Regardless of the legal proceedings, the trial is shaping up to be a political spectacle, with various groups vying for attention and support.
The security measures in place, including the involvement of the Secret Service, the NYPD, and the court system, aim to ensure the safety of all involved. It will be a first for a former president to face a criminal trial, but the authorities are confident in their ability to handle the situation.
As the trial unfolds, the eyes of the nation will be on 100 Centre Street, where a historic and unprecedented legal battle is set to take place.
News
Is now the right time to invest in gold as prices have cooled?
The price of gold has climbed to record highs recently and has remained strong through much of April. And, that growth continued until the precious metal traded at around $2,390 per ounce on April 19, 2024. But since, growth in the price of the precious metal has cooled, with gold’s price now hovering around $2,300 per ounce.
This lull in gold’s price may represent an investment opportunity.
In general, investing is centered around buying assets when prices are low and selling them when prices are high – generating a profit on the difference between the two. So, considering the declines in gold’s price over the past few days, now may be the time to make your investment. But is buying gold during this lull in prices really a good idea?
Compare your gold investment options among leading brokers now.
Gold prices have cooled. Should you buy in now?
With gold’s price down from recent highs, you may be wondering if now is the right time to buy in. There are several reasons the dip in gold’s price may represent an opportunity to buy. Here are some of the biggest:
Prices may rise again
If looking at a gold price chart shows anything for certain, it shows that changes in the overall growth of the medal come in fits and spurts. Periods of price growth are typically followed by periods of declines and vice versa.
But with inflation rising in recent months – and with gold’s reputation as a safe-haven asset that can hedge against inflation – it only makes sense that the price of the precious metal will eventually start to head up again in the future. While attempting to time that directional change may be tricky, buying the precious metal while the price is down gives you the opportunity to take advantage of any upward movement that may be ahead.
Add gold to your portfolio now before prices have a chance to rise.
You may be able to make a quick profit
Gold isn’t known as an asset in which you can earn a quick return, but in today’s market, that may be the case. Don’t forget that in January, gold was trading at just $2,000 per ounce. And, by mid-April, the commodity’s price had climbed to around $2,400 per ounce. That’s about 20% growth in a matter of months, much of which happened since March 1 – an impressive climb for any investment asset.
Perhaps more importantly, gold’s price growth through the beginning of 2024 shows that the commodity doesn’t have to be a buy and hold style investment that you keep in a safety deposit box or precious metal depository for years to come. There’s also the possibility that the commodity’s price could climb further ahead, making it a compelling way to potentially generate a quick profit.
There are other benefits of investing in gold
There are other benefits of investing in gold that have little to do with the price growth seen thus far in 2024 – or the lull in prices seen over the past couple of days. Those benefits include:
- Inflation protection: Gold has long been considered an inflation hedge, and for good reason. When inflation drives the prices of consumer goods and services up – and the value of the dollar down – gold’s price tends to rise. So, it could be used to maintain the value of your portfolio during inflationary economic conditions. That’s important in today’s economic environment as stubborn inflation continues to weigh on the value of the dollar.
- Portfolio diversification: Gold’s price doesn’t always move in the same pattern that bonds or stocks do. So, mixing a reasonable amount of gold into your portfolio (up to 10% of your portfolio assets) as a diversifier could protect you from losses should one or more of your traditional portfolio assets fall in value. “If you have less than 5% – 10% of your net worth in commodities & FX (forex), you should absolutely consider adding exposure to gold and other precious metals,” says Vijay Marolia, money manager and managing partner at the wealth management firm, Regal Point Capital.
The bottom line
Gold’s price has fallen from recent highs – which may represent an opportunity to tap into growth ahead. However, gold isn’t simply a “buy while it’s low and sell while it’s a high” kind of investment opportunity. The commodity can also protect your portfolio from the stubborn inflation we’ve seen thus far in 2024 while acting as a diversification tool that could increase your risk-adjusted portfolio returns. So, consider adding gold to your portfolio today while it has the potential to grow in value.
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