Tuesday could very well mark a chilling milestone in American history when a former US president could be placed under arrest.

Ex-President Donald Trump had speculated days ago on his Truth Social account that the prospect of this irregular act was drawing near and there’s been a great deal of chatter about increased security preparations being made in New York City in the expectation that his arrest is forthcoming.

Yet on the eve of this crass indignity to the former president, the justice system, and the country plays out, another important event happened, one that is even 14 years older than the United States: New York City’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

After being interrupted by COVID, the Irish celebration return to the streets of Manhattan last year and even with the pall of an ex-commander-in-chief having to pose for a mugshot, the party goes on.

Even in front of Trump Tower, where 150,000 marchers walked over the faded Black Lives Matter lettering painted large on the street fronting the building that was a juvenile exercise to troll the ex-president by an inept New York City government which struggles to pick up garbage.

And like everything done by the succession of Gotham’s maladministrations, the Black Lives Matter road art has been poorly-maintained and is now barely decipherable, proving that even volunteer vandals are more skilled at their craft than paid city workers.

Just outside of Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue, a group of several dozen Asian-Americans gathered to wave US flags and banners expressing their support for former President Donald Trump during New York City’s storied St Patrick’s Day Parade.

For some the Trump supporters were viewed (and treated with) scorn with more than a few middle fingers (looking at you Fordham alumni) and curses hurled in their direction. So much for stopping Asian hate!

But there they were defiant wearing MAGA caps: loud and proud for 45.

And so were many of the marchers.

These America-loving, Trump supporting immigrants and descendants of immigrants from the east side of the Pacific rim were most welcome as numerous men and women in full dress police or fireman uniforms flashed thumbs up of approval and slapped high fives with them.

Some cops split off from their contingent to joyously take selfies with them.

But there were two sights that really stood out.

One law enforcement unit, which I shall not identify here but was told by someone familiar with the groul are tasked with dealing with the worst criminal elements, made a point of demonstrating how much they respected the former president by stopping short of Trump Tower, assembling in formation and saluting in the direction of the building while filing past it before then halting the moment they had cleared the footprint and returned to their more informal stroll along the route.

It was a powerful sign that they appreciated a president who had their back in light of the denigrating comments they’re regularly subjected to by virtue signaling politicians who endanger their lives through their rhetoric and internal directives regarding use of force while encountering perps unburdened by such rules of engagement.

Particularly in the deep blue, high crime precincts of the inner cities Trump has come to represent the antithesis of the senseless and wantonly reckless criminal justice policies of progressive mayors and councils.

The other was the choice of music played by the various police and fire department pipe and drum corps while passing Trump Tower: all patriotic tunes.

And it wasn’t coincidental but intentional as I’ve never heard God Bless America performed on bagpipes in near constant succession so much in my life.

Considering the length of the parade, the musical selections played in that single block were a subtle yet poignant tribute to the man who had their back as opposed to halving their budget.

The parade reminded me of a scene from the Jack Nicholson movie Hoffa.  When the Teamster leader was being transported to prison he could hear 18-wheekers parked alongside the highway honking their horns in support.

The show of love, admiration, and support for Trump by New York City’s finest and from non-traditional Republican constituencies was impressive and would be the envy of any Republican politician.

The parade was for St. Patrick but for one city block it was for Donald Trump.

On November 3, 2020 Trump received 12% in Manhattan.

But on March 17, 2023, between the parade barricades starting at East 44th Street running north to East 79th Street, The Donald owned Fifth Avenue.