New York prepares for president’s return to tower

NEW YORK — President Donald Trump is expected to come home to Trump Tower for a few days starting Sunday, the first time since his inauguration, and New York City police are planning a slight security clampdown in the area around the skyscraper for the duration of his visit.

Trump first tweeted his plans Monday, saying he would go home to the city for some meetings. He arrived at his private golf club in New Jersey a week ago Friday for a 17day “working vacation.” The White House hasn’t divulged specifics on his New York stay.

Since taking office, the president has returned to the city once, on May 4, for a visit with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull at the Intrepid Sea Air and Space Museum. His absence allowed the New York Police Department to loosen security around Trump Tower, though it can dial it back up at any time, department spokesman Stephen Davis said.

“We’re ready,” Davis said. “We’re ready if he wants to show up tomorrow, or not at all.”

Trump Tower poses a unique security challenge because parts of it are required, by law, to be open to the public from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

“The NYPD is the most expert police force on Earth in terms of handling visits by an American president,” Mayor Bill de Blasio said. “They do an outstanding job. I think that we’re going to be ready by any measure.”