It’s Friday! @ItsMattsLaw described yesterday’s verdict best: “babe wake up, new unprecedented times.” The country is in a weird spot today after a former U.S. president was found guilty of 34 felony charges. There are a lot of looming questions and reactions. We’ll boil it all down. Here are some of the updates this morning:
Former President Trump held a press conference this morning to rail against the judge, the case and the guilty verdict.
Republicans have been jumping to defend Trump, notably including Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.). Trump has raised roughly $35 million since the verdict. Trump’s lawyer cited his age as an argument against jail-time.
The Republican presidential standard-bearer may actually still be able to vote, despite being a convicted felon. Read below for the explainer.
A billionaire is planning to bring another submersible down to the Titanic wreckage. *stairs blankly*
I’m Cate Martel with a quick recap of the morning and what’s coming up. Send tips, commentary, feedback and cookie recipes to cmartel@digital-stage.thehill.com. Did someone forward this newsletter to you? Sign up here. |
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Trump is going full scorched earth:
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Former President Trump went on a tear this morning, giving a press conference to air his grievances and rail against the case against him.
On the gag order: “Think of it — I’m the leading candidate. I’m leading Biden by a lot, and I’m leading the Republicans to the point that that’s over,” Trump said. “And I’m under a gag order.”
On Judge Juan Merchan: “They were literally crucified by this man who looks like an angel, but he is really a devil,” Trump said. “He looks so nice and soft. People say he seems like such a nice man. Unless you saw him in action and you saw that with a certain witness that went through hell.” 💻 Watch the clip
💻 Watch Trump’s press conference 📸 The set up at Trump’s presser
Keep in mind: Right after the guilty verdict, Trump insisted he is a “very innocent man.” In Trump’s words: “This was a rigged, disgraceful trial. The real verdict is going to be Nov. 5 by the people, and they know what happened here, and everybody knows what happened here.” |
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After all of that, the payment didn’t even keep it hush:
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After roughly 11 hours of deliberations, a jury of 12 New Yorkers found former President Trump guilty on all 34 counts of falsifying business records. |
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➤ QUESTIONS ABOUT THE NEXT STEPS:
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When will Trump be sentenced?: July 11. Note: That’s just four days before the convention to formally nominate Trump as the Republican presidential nominee. Will Trump go to jail?: Each charge carries a maximum of four years in prison, but first-time offenders tend to receive probation instead of incarceration. Read more
Could Trump pardon himself if he wins the presidency?: No, presidents have the power to pardon federal crimes, but this case is at the state level. New York’s governor has the power to pardon him, but that seems unlikely. Read more
Will Trump still be able to vote as a convicted felon?: Actually, he may still be able to vote. This is because of competing felon voter laws in New York and Florida. He’s a Florida resident, but because he was convicted in New York, Florida’s law basically defers to New York. New York only prohibits felons from voting if they are serving prison time. Read the full explainer
What does this mean for the election?: We shall see. This ruling definitely throws the election into unchartered territory. Polling has been a mixed bag on how much it would affect Trump’s support. Read Julia Manchester’s reporting on the election implications |
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Trump’s campaign donation page crashed: The campaign said that “so many Americans were moved to donate,” leading to the brief crash. The campaign says it has raised roughly $35 million since the verdict.
Wow, Mitch McConnell came to Trump’s defense: “These charges never should have been brought in the first place. I expect the conviction to be overturned on appeal,” the Senate Republican leader posted on social media platform X. Trump and McConnell have had a long-running feud, so this is a big deal. More GOP responses:
Moderate Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) also criticized the prosecution. Ivanka Trump posted a throwback photo on Instagram with the caption, “I love you dad.”
How the Biden camp reacted: The Biden team proclaimed “no one is above the law.” Then in a fundraising email, the campaign referred to Trump as a “convicted felon.” For their part, House Democrats seemed giddy. More Democratic responses:
- “Hallelujah!!!” posted Maxine Waters (D-Calif.).
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“YES!” Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.) posted.
- “How’s that chant go that he used to lead at rallies?” Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.) posted, referring to the “lock her up” chants.
Hillary Clinton happened to be speaking last night: She began her remarks at an event at the Kennedy Center with, “Thank you, thank you so much. Anything going on today?” 💻 Watch the clip
This is quite the New York Times lede: The piece begins, “Guilty. Guilty. Guilty. Guilty,” written 34 times. “For the first time in his 77 years, Mr. Trump was a felon. Thirty-four times over, he was told. It was unambiguous. It was certain. It was happening.” Read the full report
Trump’s defense attorney went on CNN last night: Todd Blanche argued against a jail sentence for Trump, citing his age. 💻 Here’s the clip if you want to see the message and vibe.
These front pages are striking:
Watch Jimmy Kimmel’s monologue on the verdict.
Omg, this song: “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” created a song from a montage of Trump clips. “I fought the law and the law won.” 💻 Watch the 27-second clip |
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Joe Manchin’s not blue, da ba dee da ba di: |
Sen. Joe Manchin (W.Va.) announced this morning that he is officially leaving the Democratic Party and filing as an Independent.
Keep in mind: Manchin is retiring from Congress and has signaled he would *not* run for governor. |
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🥥 Celebrate: Today is National Macaroon Day.
🍫 Oh and(!): Sunday is National Rocky Road Day, which seems the perfect sequitur to tell you my latest TikTok obsession. I have seen people make their perfect rocky roads. Basically, you melt chocolate and add your favorite snacks so when it hardens, it makes a thick bark. Think: Gummy bears, pretzels, candy bars, cookies, chips, etc. 📹 Here’s an example 📹 And another
🚢 You have GOT to be kidding: A billionaire is planning to take another submersible to the Titani wreckage site less than a year after the Titan submersible catastrophically imploded. (USA Today) Read more from The Wall Street Journal: ‘After the OceanGate Implosion, the Ultra Wealthy Still Can’t Resist the Deep Sea’
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The House and Senate are out. President Biden is in Washington, D.C., and Vice President Harris is in California. (all times Eastern)
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2:30 p.m.: Biden welcomes Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo to the White House.
4:15 p.m.: Biden welcomes the Kansas City Chiefs to the White House to celebrate their Super Bowl victory. 💻 Livestream
6:40 p.m.: Harris speaks at a political event in San Diego. 6:45 p.m.: Biden leaves for Rehoboth Beach, Del. 8:50 p.m.: Harris arrives in Los Angeles.
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