| | | | |  | | By Emily Ngo, Jeff Coltin and Nick Reisman | | Presented by |  | | | With help from Shawn Ness
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As former President Donald Trump's trial continued inside the courthouse, his loyalists raged on outside the doors. | Alex Kent for POLITICO | Rage, disgust and heartbreak were on display Thursday evening as the MAGA faithful outside former President Donald Trump’s Manhattan trial processed, in real-time, the news that he is now a convicted felon. “Not guilty! He’s innocent!” A red-capped duo shouted as they exploded in anger near the courthouse, sprinkling in plenty of profanities. For as quiet and boring as it was during the three days of jury deliberations, it was loud and frenetic outside of it. Earlier Thursday, one confrontation resulted in a pro-Trump demonstrator using her bare breasts to slap at an anti-Trump provocateur. Many in the small, restless crowd in Collect Pond Park had predicted that the former president would be convicted. And then, in its historic decision, a jury of 12 of Trump’s peers found him guilty on all 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. “While this defendant may be like no other in American history, we arrived at this trial and ultimately today at this verdict in the same manner as every other case,” Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said at a news conference afterward. The circus of a scene outside the courthouse featured a man wearing a clown costume, mask and wig. “Pitchfork Pete,” 40, of Brooklyn said he was inspired by Gov. Kathy Hochul deriding Trump supporters as “clowns.” (Pseudonyms were a norm among the loyalists who cycled through the park. Supporters gave their names only as “Lifeboat Luis,” “DVS 7.0” and “Hungry Santa.”) Small skirmishes were also predictable. “Who’s got the hot sauce? It’s getting spicy!” A Trump supporter screeched at one point as he careened toward a commotion of a clashing duo, with news photographers swarming to get the shot. Another dramatic but minor clash was two Trump supporters fighting while streaming the scene live with their respective followers. Tourists, newlywed couples (the city’s Marriage Bureau is nearby), police officers and completely unbothered sanitation workers rounded out the rest of the crowd mingling in the park just before the verdict. Some Chinese expats who recently held a prayer circle for Trump offered everyone smushed doughnuts from a bag, MAGA hits like “Hunter Got High” played from a stereo speaker and a man on the anti-Trump side of the park blew a shofar mournfully. Several people who have made themselves a regular presence outside the courthouse agreed that a conviction only stands to benefit the former president politically. Trump himself plans to speak at a news conference this morning. Gary Phaneuf, 68, of Staten Island, who was arrested after the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, said Thursday as he waited to view Trump’s departing motorcade, “This is New York City’s Jan. 6 moment of truth.” But no one appeared to follow him as he walked off carrying his massive sign featuring the message, “Pursued, persecuted, prosecuted” and a curious compilation of photos that include John Hancock, Nelson Mandela, Roger Stone and, of course, Trump. — Emily Ngo HAPPY FRIDAY: Got news? Send it our way: Jeff Coltin, Emily Ngo and Nick Reisman.
| | | | A message from PhRMA: Some of New York’s wealthiest nonprofit hospitals are taking advantage of a program that is supposed to help vulnerable patients more affordably access medicines – it’s padding hospital bottom lines instead. Let’s stand up for New York patients and hold these hospitals accountable. Learn more. | | | WHERE’S KATHY? In Albany hosting a virtual parent roundtable on youth mental health. WHERE’S ERIC? Delivering remarks at the Public Safety Promotion Ceremony, and holding a security briefing on the Israel day parade. QUOTE OF THE DAY: “I’m not necessarily a headline-getter for our state. I would give that role to Sen. Schumer. But I do really good work.” — Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, in a Crain’s New York profile of the low-key senator in her reelection year.
|  | ABOVE THE FOLD | | | | 
After Trump's guilty verdict was announced, some Republicans lambasted the decision. Others decided to remain quiet. | Alex Kent for POLITICO | VERDICT FALLOUT: The reality of Trump’s conviction settled in quickly for many around the city and country. The former president’s campaign prepared for a fundraising windfall well ahead of his sentencing and appeal, POLITICO reported. And while some of his staunchest critics celebrated the jury decision, elected officials blasted out their responses — some more quickly than others. “Today’s verdict reaffirms that no one is above the law,” Hochul said in a statement — after Republican Rep. Nick LaLota, facing a reelection challenge, recommended she pardon the ex-pres. “As we await the next steps, New Yorkers should rest assured that the NYPD stands ready to respond to any and all circumstances, including large-scale protests,” Mayor Eric Adams said in a statement sent more than three hours after the verdict. Adams, a relatively conservative Democrat who has been at odds with President Joe Biden, made no mention of Trump or the substance of the conviction in his statement. Two swing-district Republicans who’ve sought some distance from Trump as they vie for reelection spoke critically of the jury’s findings of guilt. The statements from Hudson Valley Reps. Mike Lawler and Marc Molinaro did not mention Trump by name. “This is how we’re going to do politics now? Not through spirited debates, but by weaponizing the justice and court system to attack a political rival right before the election,” Molinaro said. “The willingness of hyperpartisan New York Democrats like Attorney General Letitia James, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, and even Governor Kathy Hochul, to abuse their monopoly on power in Albany and New York City to wage political war on their enemies should frighten every New Yorker, no matter which party you belong to or who you support for President,” Lawler said. — Emily Ngo
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Adams and Hinds-Radix, in happier times, announced a lawsuit against e-cig distributors, on July 10, 2023. | Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office | RADIX-AL DEPARTURE: Sylvia Hinds-Radix, the city’s top lawyer, is officially leaving her job today, after being pressured out over disagreements with City Hall. In a farewell letter to the Law Department obtained by Playbook, Hinds-Radix touted that she secured pay increases to help with staff retention and hiring, and highlighted key legal cases over her two-and-a-half-year tenure, including brokering “a landmark agreement” allowing the city to temporarily ignore certain right to shelter provisions amid the current migrant crisis. There was no mention of why Hinds-Radix was leaving. But growing tensions with Adams’ inner circle over how she ran the department reportedly came to a head with her raising concerns about the city providing legal representation to the mayor in his Adult Survivors Act case. City Hall previously denied she was pushed out, calling it a “mutual decision.” In a statement, Adams said “She has been a fierce advocate on behalf of those who call this city home. We are grateful for her service to New Yorkers.” Hinds-Radix, a retired judge, is Black, and an immigrant from Barbados. Adams has prided himself on appointing women of color to top positions, but some have now left amid tension, including former NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell. Her departure starts a 60-day clock for Adams to nominate a corporation counsel for City Council approval. Adams has been working for over a month to grow support for his controversial top pick, Randy Mastro, despite widespread opposition. Meanwhile, 22-year Law Department veteran Muriel Goode-Trufant will serve as acting corp counsel. — Jeff Coltin More from the city: — The NYPD continues to flout a 2020 law requiring it to disclose new types of policing technology, city investigators have discovered. (POLITICO) — The city is set to open its waiting list for a key rental assistance program for the first time in 15 years. (Gothamist) — After a week of pestering, the Adams administration says that it will resume complying with the city law requiring the NYPD to publish its clearance rates. (Hell Gate)
| | | | A message from PhRMA:   | | | | | NEW FROM PLANET ALBANY | | |  Those who are calling for changes to the criminal justice system still think video calls should not replace in-person visits. | Hans Pennink/AP | PRISON MEETINGS: Advocates who have called for changes to New York’s criminal justice laws are pushing for the final passage of a bill that would guarantee video calls do not replace in-person visitations for the families of people in prison. And they are pressing the state Assembly to get it over the finish line. Supporters of the legislation argue there’s nothing in the law that currently requires state prison officials to provide in-person visits. There’s also a concern among left-leaning advocates that video calls could be a replacement for people in prison seeing loved ones in person. "In-person visiting has come under attack in the era of video calls,” Tanya Krupat, the Vice President for Policy and Advocacy for Osborne Association, told Playbook. “New York needs to act now to ensure children can hug their parents, and families can support each other during incarceration.” The bill was approved this week in the state Senate but is yet to come up for a vote in the other chamber. Still, after several years of criminal justice changes that have proven controversial with voters — including limiting when cash bail can be required — some lawmakers may be wary of approving additional measures that could lead to political fallout. — Nick Reisman CREDIT WHERE IT’S DUE: New York lawmakers and Hochul last month agreed to a three-year $30 million tax credit meant to aid local news publications. And now Illinois state lawmakers have followed suit. The Legislature in Illinois this week approved a $25 million tax credit over five years that’s aimed at expanding hiring in local media. And the supporters of the New York tax credit to boost local news are cheering. “As communities across the country rally for the revival of local journalism, New York and Illinois offer hope and momentum to ensure everyone has access to the quality, independent local news they deserve,” Zachary Richner, a founding member of the Empire State Local News Coalition, said in a statement to Playbook. — Nick Reisman More from Albany: — The U.S. Supreme Court has revived an NRA-backed lawsuit against New York’s former top insurance regulator. (POLITICO) — Epinephrine auto-injectors would be required at large venues in New York under a measure approved by state lawmakers. (Newsday) — Assemblymember Michael Benedetto testified in favor of exempting a transportation company from a city idling law — after getting $23,300 in campaign contributions from them over a decade. (Streetsblog)
| | NEW YORK STATE OF MIND | | — The odds for a proposed Bronx casino are getting dicey as local lawmakers resist permitting the use of local park space — paralleling pushback for a bid in Queens. (THE CITY) — As the presidential election nears, New York Democrats have not forgotten about the other elections. (State of Politics) — Six months after Oct. 7, a rift between students and administrators has rocked a Staten Island high school. (Hell Gate)
| | | | A message from PhRMA: The 340B drug pricing program was designed to help vulnerable patients more affordably access medicines at qualifying hospitals and clinics. But a lack of accountability has led to large hospitals, chain pharmacies and other middlemen, like PBMs, profiting from a program that should be benefiting patients. Let’s hold these groups accountable and stand up for New York patients. Learn more. | | | | | SOCIAL DATA | | Edited by Daniel Lippman IN MEMORIAM: Louise Dankberg, executive committee chair of the Manhattan Democratic Party, has died. MAKING MOVES — Sophie Friedman has joined the White House as deputy director of presidential production. She previously managed special projects and board relations for Bloomberg Philanthropies and is a Hillary Clinton 2016 and Mike Bloomberg 2020 alum. … Alok Choksi is now counsel in the New York office of Haynes and Boone, LLP where he is part of the capital markets and securities practice group. He most recently spent five years at White & Case LLP. MEDIAWATCH — The Wall Street Journal laid off at least eight more employees on Thursday with the U.S. news and “speed and trending” teams affected, two people familiar with the matter told Daniel Lippman. Layoffs included NYC reporter Erin Ailworth, Midwest staff reporter Ben Kesling, breaking news reporter Suryatapa Bhattacharya, U.S. news reporter Talal Ansari, reporter Christine Mai-Duc, Texas reporter Adolfo Flores and mid-U.S. correspondent Shannon Najmabadi, according to the sources. WELCOME TO THE WORLD — Ryan Buicko, VP at Galesi Group, and Alex Buicko, senior manager at Amazon, on Friday welcomed Rome MacKenzie Buicko. Pic ... Another pic HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Juli Weiner … CNN’s Sara Sidner … Zofia Rawner … Vidhya Murugesan … Commerce’s Charlie Meisch ... Kelsey Kats … (WAS THURSDAY): Larry Silverstein … Scott Hertz ... Daphne Merkin. Missed Thursday’s New York Playbook PM? Read it here.
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