| | | | |  | | By Matt Friedman | Good Friday morning! Obviously, the biggest news right now is Bob Menendez’s future. And in case it wasn’t clear enough already, it’s looking like a near-certainty that come Tuesday, the senator will file to run for reelection as an independent. NBC News reported Thursday that Menendez has more than the 800 signatures required to get on the ballot and is hoping to file something like 10,000 as a “statement” of the level of support he still has. That makes perfect sense. Menendez has already said he plans to run if he’s exonerated, and his trial will not be even close to over by the petition filing deadline on Tuesday. But when asked about the report by The New York Times’ Tracey Tully in the courtroom on Thursday, Menendez said, “You shouldn’t believe everything you read. You should verify it.” That’s just trolling on Menendez's part, because that’s exactly what Tully was trying to do by asking. Who better to verify that information than the one person who can confirm or deny it? But Menendez decided to be coy. The NBC article quotes an unnamed former Menendez aide who said, “Democrats throughout the state have been quietly helping Menendez win back his seat.” Uh-uh. Winning back his seat? Not going to happen. At best, he’ll be a spoiler for Democrats. But as I’ve said here before, I think the risk of Menendez as a spoiler for Democrats would have been much stronger if Tammy Murphy, whose candidacy deeply divided the party and outraged much of its base, had been the nominee. And even though a March poll showed Menendez drawing some support, especially with Black and Hispanic voters, polls often overstate third-party candidacies. There is, of course, some risk of Menendez pulling votes in the Democratic stronghold of Hudson. Should we take Menendez at his word that he’ll only run if exonerated? If he’s already on the ballot anyway, what’s to stop him from continuing to run if he’s convicted? I won't dismiss the theory that Menendez is motivated in part by trying to secure clemency from a future president Trump who, uh, has his own legal stuff going on. TIPS? FEEDBACK? Email me at MFriedman@politico.com. QUOTE OF THE DAY: “One worries that the jury will say you’ve committed two crimes — you’ve taken bribes and you’ve blamed your spouse.” — Attorney Paul Shechtman on the Menendez defense strategy HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Amy Pfeiffer. Saturday for Phil Angarone, Muhammed Akil. Sunday for Kevin Egan, Chris Aikin, Ken Deitz, John Traier, Judy Ward WHERE’S MURPHY? — In Union Township at 11 a.m. for a veterans services announcement. | | | | THE GOLD STANDARD OF POLICY REPORTING & INTELLIGENCE: POLITICO has more than 500 journalists delivering unrivaled reporting and illuminating the policy and regulatory landscape for those who need to know what’s next. Throughout the election and the legislative and regulatory pushes that will follow, POLITICO Pro is indispensable to those who need to make informed decisions fast. The Pro platform dives deeper into critical and quickly evolving sectors and industries—finance, defense, technology, healthcare, energy—equipping policymakers and those who shape legislation and regulation with essential news and intelligence from the world’s best politics and policy journalists.
Our newsroom is deeper, more experienced, and better sourced than any other—with teams embedded in the world’s most active legislative and regulatory power centers. From Brussels to Washington, New York to London, Sacramento to Paris, we bring subscribers inside the conversations that determine policy outcomes and the future of industries, providing insight that cannot be found anywhere else. Get the premier news and policy intelligence service, SUBSCRIBE TO POLITICO PRO TODAY. | | | | | |  | MENENDEZ CORRUPTION TRIAL | | Jurors today are expected to hear from a former senior U.S. Department of Agriculture official who prosecutors say the senator “pressured” to preserve a lucrative halal meat certification monopoly for New Jersey businessperson and co-defendant Wael “Will” Hana. Prosecutors have alleged that Menendez “improperly advised and pressured” former USDA official Ted McKinney to maintain a monopoly for Hana’s halal certification business, IS EG Halal, which they say helped fund bribes that Menendez ultimately received. Larry Lustberg, a defense attorney for Hana, did not dispute the senator made the call to McKinney during opening statements, but said the government has mischaracterized the call and it only lasted a few minutes. The expected testimony comes after jurors have listened to and viewed text messages, emails and voicemails for days. Menendez attorney Avi Weitzman spent much of Thursday questioning the witness who read out the hundreds of texts and emails that was featured in a chronological spreadsheet procured by prosecutors. Weitzman said the correspondence was “deeply, deeply misleading” — pointing to one instance where prosecutors showed a text exchange in which Menendez said he would like to meet with an American attorney who identified himself as working for the Egyptian government (left unmentioned in the text shown to the jury, Weitzman said, was that the attorney also offered to help Menendez with his 2018 reelection bid). Weitzman’s line of questioning at times also implied that Menendez’s wife — Nadine Menendez — could have been behind certain actions identified as the senator’s, like when his online search history showed he looked up the price of gold. "And if someone else picks up a spouse's phone and does a Google search, you can't tell which spouse is doing it, correct?" he asked the witness. — Daniel Han | | WHAT TRENTON MADE | |
COUGHLIN VS. COFFERS — The task force in charge of the new StayNJ senior tax program recommended the state streamline its various tax-relief measures to make them more accessible. But the task force did not identify how to fund StayNJ beyond the annual budget, leaving an anticipated $1.2 billion annual decision to future administrations or risk it going away. “Based on current estimates, starting in FY2027, this amount would need to be included in the annual budget subject to the funding pre-requisites” of the law, the report said.
StayNJ provides up to $6,500 in tax relief to seniors with incomes below $500,000. It isn’t scheduled to take effect until 2026. In the meantime, the state has set aside some money to get it started and assembled the task force to recommend how to implement it. The task force delivered those recommendations to the Murphy administration by its statutory deadline Thursday. It suggested the state create one application for its three tax-relief programs — Stay NJ, ANCHOR and Senior Freeze — to determine eligibility for them. That should be done by Feb. 1, 2025, the report said. — Dustin Racioppi GOING OFF THE RAILS ON THE GRAVY TRAIN — “What else is NJ Legislature considering to impact government transparency?” by The Record’s Katie Sobko: “Though attention has been centered on a bill that will gut access to public records that is currently sitting on the Gov. Phil Murphy's desk, lawmakers are also considering other pieces of legislation that may impact government transparency and accountability. Legislation sponsored by Union City Mayor and state Sen. Brian Stack that would make it harder to track how much county officials are paid cleared committee in the upper chamber. The bill would get rid of the requirement for compensation such as stipends and bonuses to be approved through ordinances for county commissioners, department heads and county executives and only make ordinances necessary for annual salaries … On the opposite end of the spectrum, Assemblyman Brian Bergen introduced a legislation that he’s calling the ‘End the New Jersey Gravy Train Act.’ It would eliminate the ability for members of the Legislature who hold county and municipal jobs to take unlimited paid days off from those jobs for legislative duties and require them to take unpaid days instead.” — “Why N.J. needs to make Vote by Mail permanent | Opinion” — “Fulop hosts virtual Town Hall on statewide education plan as part of gubernatorial run” | | | | YOUR DAILY DOWNLOAD ON ALL THINGS TECH: Today marks the 200th episode of the POLITICO Tech podcast! That’s 200 incisive conversations with global policymakers, tech executives, social activists and other influential voices reshaping our world, one algorithm at a time. Join host Steven Overly for a daily dive into the major political and policy battles around artificial intelligence, election disinformation, competition with China, TikTok, microchips and much more. SUBSCRIBE AND LISTEN TODAY via Apple, Spotify, Simplecast or your preferred podcast player. | | | | | | | BIDEN TIME | |
FORMER PRESIDENT CONVICTED OF COVERING UP HUSH MONEY PAYMENT TO PORN STAR TO KEEP QUIET ABOUT SEX — Donald Trump found guilty in New York hush money trial, by POLITICO’s Erica Orden: Donald Trump was found guilty Thursday of falsifying business records to cover up a hush money payment to a porn star, making him the first former president to become a convicted felon. The unanimous verdict from the 12-person jury ends a six-week trial in which prosecutors accused Trump of orchestrating an illegal conspiracy to influence the 2016 presidential election. Now, Trump will have a criminal record as he seeks to become president again. Trump was convicted on all 34 felony counts brought by prosecutors. As the jury foreperson read the verdict, Trump looked toward the jury box. After the foreperson finished reading the verdict, the former president looked straight ahead, appearing somewhat red in the face. Then, as the jurors individually confirmed that they agreed with the verdict, Trump stared at them. It now falls to the judge, Justice Juan Merchan, to determine Trump’s sentence. He scheduled the sentencing for July 11, four days before the Republican National Convention begins. Falsifying business records carries a maximum sentence of four years in prison, but because the crime is nonviolent and Trump has no prior convictions, any prison time is far from guaranteed.
HE DIDN’T PICK THE BEST DAY FOR THIS ONE — “Tom Kean Jr. will support Trump for president,” by New Jersey Globe’s Joey Fox: “Tom Kean Jr. (R-Westfield) may represent a district that was once won by Joe Biden, but he’s ready to support Donald Trump for president this year. The freshman congressman, who represents a pivotal swing district that might help determine who controls the House come 2025, said through a spokesperson that he will vote for Trump, who has no opposition on New Jersey’s GOP primary ballot and who is virtually assured to become the Republican presidential nominee at the July Republican National Convention. 'Congressman Kean will be voting for President Trump,' Kean spokesman Harrison Neely told the New Jersey Globe. The campaign declined to elaborate beyond that." THE KIMPOSSIBLE DREAM — “What Andy Kim's run means to Asian Americans, the fastest-growing racial group in N.J.,” by NBC’s News’ Kimmy Yam: “Gouri Sadhwani, a longtime New Jersey resident and Democrat, isn’t so enthusiastic about the presidential race this year, saying she plans to vote for President Joe Biden as a ‘defensive’ measure against Donald Trump. But she gets fired up when she discusses the Senate race, particularly the Democratic candidate, Rep. Andy Kim. ‘Andy Kim is very different,’ said Sadhwani, 52, who moved to New Jersey from India when she was a child. ‘He happens to be in the right place at the right time with the right amount of guts.’ Sadhwani is among the rapidly growing group of Asian Americans in New Jersey, who have surged by 99% from 2000 to 2022. They make up 11% of the state’s population … Voters and experts say New Jersey candidates and parties haven’t been particularly effective in engaging Asian Americans in the past. With Kim polling as the front-runner in the Democratic primary next Tuesday, many say his campaign could help usher in a new era of motivated voters.” CD9 — “House candidate faced domestic violence charges in 2002,” by New Jersey Globe’s David Wildstein: “Prospect Park Mayor Mohamed Khairullah was arrested in 2002 on domestic violence charges after his then-wife accused him of assaulting her, but the criminal complaint was eventually dropped. Khairullah is challenging Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-Paterson) in next week’s Democratic primary for the 9th congressional district. Worried that her husband’s political connections — he was a 27-year-old first-term councilman at the time — might cause the local police to side with Khairullah, N.K. , instead reported the alleged assault to the Clifton Police Department to seek a temporary restraining order. The charges against Khairullah first surfaced in 2005 when he was about to become mayor of the small Passaic County municipality. A flier detailing the domestic violence arrest was sent to residents anonymously in a plain white envelope that didn’t include a return address. The story was broken by Herald News reporter Paul Brubaker, who later went to work for Pascrell and U.S. Senator Bob Menendez.” —Watch: "A conversation with NJ District 8 Democratic candidates Rob Menendez and Ravi Bhalla | Chat Box" — “Another co-conspirator pleads guilty to involvement in Eliyahu Weinstein's Ponzi scheme” —“How NJ congressional delegation voted on key topics in this Congress” | | LOCAL | |
MEN WITH HATS: ARMSTEAD DOES RHETORICAL SAFETY DANCE — “Mayor apologizes for remarks about Jews, accuses man who made recordings of $950K extortion,” by NJ Advance Media’s Ted Sherman: “Linden Mayor Derek Armstead, who was caught on tape warning of keeping his community from ‘being taken over by guys with big hats and curls,’ apologized Wednesday for his remarks that became public when a former school official filed a whistleblower lawsuit last week accusing him of antisemitism. At the same time, he accused Paul Oliveira, who served as Linden’s assistant school superintendent — along with Oliveira’s attorney — of attempting to extort $950,000 from Linden taxpayers and students in connection with a proposed settlement offer that the mayor termed a ‘ransom note.’ … In a phone interview, the mayor apologized for comments referencing Hasidic Jews as ‘guys in big hats and curls,’ and said he remained ‘staunchly committed’ to diversity and inclusivity in the community. ‘Private remarks can be foolish and offensive,’ he said. But he added that what was said ‘was a far cry from being antisemitic.’”
ASSEMBLYMAN McCLELLAN JUST BLEW MY VACATION PLANS — “Ocean City police issued 1,300 curbside warnings and brought 23 kids into the police station during chaotic Memorial Day weekend,” by The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Amy S. Rosenberg: “With a ferris wheel and a sign for pizza behind them, Ocean City’s police chief and elected officials sought to assure the public that the Shore town was still family-friendly and safe, despite a stabbing on the boardwalk, fights and crowds of teens during the holiday weekend ... [Mayor Jay] Gillian said police issued 1,306 curbside warnings and brought 23 juveniles into the police station for ‘stationhouse adjustments’ mostly related to fights and shoplifting. These teens are released to the custody of their parents and can avoid charges by performing community service … Assemblyman Antwan McClellan said he would continue working with the Police Benevolent Association to come up with rules and regulations that would address the problem … ‘I think this is an isolated incident,’ McClellan said. He said everyone was welcome in Ocean City ‘as long as they’re not stabbing things.’” ASBURY PARK — “Monmouth prosecutor: No racism in Asbury Park police sign; complaining cop should be fired,” by The Asbury Park Press’ Charles Daye: “The Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office concluded there was no racist intent regarding a sign that was perceived by critics as mocking Black police officers in Asbury Park, and has singled out the officer who made the complaint, recommending his termination … The dispute revolved around the so-called ‘Tree of Knowledge,’ a tree located in the parking lot of the Asbury Park Police Department headquarters next to the designated parking for the marked police vehicles. According to Lt. Kamil Warraich, who made the complaint, this location is known for being a spot where African American officers meet and talk.” THEY WERE THE LAST ONES TO THE SHORE — “The smell of rotting eggs is so bad for these Jersey Shore residents that they filed a federal lawsuit,” by NJ Advance Media’s Eric Conklin: “Levels of hydrogen sulfide and methane emitted from a landfill near the Jersey Shore have exceeded state limits for almost a decade despite regular monitoring, it is alleged in a federal lawsuit filed Thursday. Sixty-five residents of Bel Air Lakes, a retirement community in Absecon in Atlantic County, are suing the Atlantic County Utilities Authority in U.S. District Court over its landfill in nearby Egg Harbor Township, contending that for years they have been exposed to landfill gases that have left them nauseated and having difficulty breathing.” — “Palisades Park police officer's lawsuit accuses borough, police chief of retaliation” — “Trial for election contest postponed over Atlantic City Councilman Zia's residency” — “Increased Boardwalk patrols, teen curfew helping keep order in Atlantic City, chief says” — “Inside the fierce Republican primary battle for Readington committee” — “'Miracle of Morristown': Support swells for woman who lost leg after being hit by train” — “Unusually competitive district leader contest in Newark's West Ward on ballot” — “Court says Hackensack was justified firing officers after warrantless search” — “Galloway passes resolution against offshore wind development” | | EVERYTHING ELSE | |
WATCH OUT FOR FALLING JOBS — “Walmart to cut hundreds of NJ corporate jobs and requiring others to return to office,” by The Record’s Daniel J. Munoz: “Walmart is cutting hundreds of corporate jobs in New Jersey and asking remote workers to return to its office in Hoboken, public filings show. The nation’s largest private sector employer is laying off 237 workers starting Aug. 14 this year, according to a notice with the state Department of Labor. Walmart, which has 1.6 million employees nationwide, is mandating that those corporate workers not laid off come into Walmart’s corporate office in Hoboken.” — “Teaneck man wants Brown vs. Board of Education case renamed for 'historical correctness'” — “This North Jersey restaurant will be a filming spot for 'Happy Gilmore' sequel” — “The Battleship New Jersey is coming home to Camden: How to watch, celebrate and more” — “North Jersey 'grieving camp' is a refuge for teens who've faced the ultimate loss” — “Jersey City attorney who bilked client out of $2 million sentenced to 5 and half years in prison”
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