But overall, for such a historic and controversial event, the atmosphere is calm and the numbers relatively few.
Protesters shout pro-Trump slogans in front of the E. Barrett Prettyman U.S. Courthouse in Washington, D.C., Aug. 3, 2023. Former US President Donald Trump is expected to appear in Federal court to face new charges that he conspired to obstruct the 2020 presidential election - the third criminal case against the former president as he seeks a new term in the White House.
Roberto Schmidt/Getty Images
A handful of Trump supporters carried large campaign flags that said, "Trump for President '24" and "Finish The Wall." Another held a sign that said, "Trump won."
At one point, a fake presidential limousine drove near the courthouse with a passenger inside wearing a Trump mask.
A supporter of Donald Trump carries a large flag outside the E. Barrett Prettyman U.S. District Court House ahead of Trump's arrival on Aug. 3, 2023, in Washington, D.C. Trump is scheduled to be arraigned this afternoon after being indicted on four felony counts for his alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Anti-Trump protesters have shown up as well -- one of whom wore a black-and-white striped jail uniform while another protester screamed expletives from a megaphone.
Meanwhile, curious tourists are passing by, taking photos and videos of the media and protesters.
There are no reported threats -- but several large dump trucks have been parked nearby protectively.
Hip-high metal barriers with yellow tape warning "US Marshal Do Not Cross" ring the courthouse, keeping the news media and the public back from the building's entrances. There are dozens of media tents and hundreds of journalists awaiting Trump's arrival.
Members of Herndon-Reston Indivisible hold letters spelling "Justice", outside of the court, on the day former President Donald Trump, who is facing federal charges related to attempts to overturn his 2020 election defeat, appears at the U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., Aug. 3, 2023.
Sarah Silbiger/Reuters
Metropolitan Police Department officers are patrolling the area on foot and on bikes, and have stationed themselves at major intersections, but the streets nearby remain clear. Police are walking the perimeter of the courthouse, some with dogs searching the surrounding bushes.
Department of Homeland Security officials have been passing out emergency number cards to contracted security guards to report anything suspicious.
Barricades and tape surround the U.S. District Court before the arrival of former President Donald Trump, who is facing federal charges in connection with attempts to overturn his 2020 election defeat, in Washington, D.C., Aug. 3, 2023.
Jonathan Ernst/Reuters
The courthouse is quiet inside ahead of Trump's arrival, with most reporters stationed in media rooms while police roam around. Most areas remain accessible to the public and the media, including the second floor where Trump is expected to appear. As of now, only a small strip of hallway on the second floor leading to the courtroom where the arraignment is scheduled later today is blocked off and guarded by security.
Trump is scheduled to appear before a federal judge at 4 p.m. Thursday afternoon to be arraigned on his latest indictment -- on charges related to his push to overturn the 2020 election results before and during Jan. 6.
Police block a street near the E. Barrett Prettyman Courthouse where former President Donald Trump is to be arraigned, Aug. 3, 2023, in Washington, D.C. Trump is expected to appear in court to answer charges of conspiring to overturn the 2020 election, a case that will cast a dark and volatile cloud over the 2024 White House race for which he remains the presumptive Republican nominee.
Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images
Capitol Police deploy outside the E. Barrett Prettyman US Courthouse for arraignment, in Washington, DC, Aug. 3, 2023, where former US President Donald Trump is to appear for his arraignment.
Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images
A Homeland Security canine unit sweeps one of the entrances to the E. Barrett Prettyman U.S. Courthouse in Washington, D.C., Aug. 3, 2023. Trump is expected to appear today in Federal court to face new charges that he conspired to obstruct the 2020 presidential election - the third criminal case against the former president as he seeks a new term in the White House.
Roberto Schmidt/Getty Images
People wait to enter court where former President Donald Trump will appear on charges he conspired to subvert the 2020 presidential election at the E. Barrett Prettyman U.S. Courthouse on Aug. 3, 2023, in Washington, D.C.
Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images
Media members prepare for the arrival of former President Donald Trump, who is facing federal charges in connection with attempts to overturn his 2020 election defeat, at U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., Aug. 3, 2023.
Jonathan Ernst/Reuters
ABC News' Aaron Katersky and Sam Sweeney contributed to this report.
