Miami mayor Francis Suarez says his city is braced for right-wing protests with Donald Trump set to make his first appearance there on secret document criminal charges.

Mr Suarez told reporters on Monday that people had the right to protest in Miami but that law enforcement was ready to deal with any violence.

“People should have the right to express themselves, but we also believe in law and order, and we know that — we hope that tomorrow will be peaceful,” said Mr Suarez.

The former president formally faces federal criminal charges in a sweeping indictment connected to his possession of classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago property.

He left his New Jersey home at his Bedminster golf club on Monday ahead of his Tuesday afternoon appearance at the Federal Courthouse in Miami.

Mr Trump has urged his supporters to show up to his court appearance and said on The Roger Stone Show on 11 June, “Our country has to protest.”

On pro-Trump message board Patriots.win, formerly The Donald, a site that was central to organising riots on January 6, supporters have declared “war”, said protests could make “Waco look like a tea party,” and said that “this is what the Second Amendment was made for.”

“I used to laugh when my mom said that she was afraid if she registered Republican she may be arrested one day. I’m not laughing any more,” one user wrote. “Just buying more ammo.”

But despite the online rhetoric, Mr Suarez assured his city’s residents that police there would be prepared to handle the situation.

“We want to assure the public that we have already begun preparations for the event tomorrow...Everyone has the right to peacefully express themselves and exercise their constitutional rights and obviously do it in a peaceful manner,” he said.

“In our city, we obviously believe in the constitution, but we also believe in law and order and we hope that tomorrow will be peaceful and encourage people to be peaceful in demonstrating how they feel, and we are going to have the adequate forces necessary to ensure that.”

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