| | | | |  | | By Matt Friedman | My stomach dropped when I saw the news Saturday about the assassination attempt against former President Trump. The last almost-successful presidential assassination attempt happened a year before I was born. Our politics was so stable for so long that I assumed it was permanent, before the big cracks began showing about a decade ago. It’s disturbing how many people, including elected officials and media personalities, now call other Americans “enemies.” It’s volatile, and there’s historical echoes in holding the DNC in Chicago. I found myself doom scrolling for hours Saturday. But history doesn’t actually repeat itself, and it doesn’t have to get worse. Nobody knows what's coming next, which I find both comforting and scary. Those are my feelings, anyway. And for all our differences, at least we can all be thankful that the cast of "Jersey Shore" has weighed in on this. As the news continues to come out, including urgent questions about the Secret Service’s performance, I suggest taking an inventory of the people you follow on social media. Before anything was known, were they already blaming someone? Were they shaping still-hazy information to fit a specific political narrative? Were they calling for violent retribution? Were they blaming an undefined “they”? I recommend unfollowing those people. In breaking news events, credible outlets often won’t state what appears obvious because nothing should be taken for granted. The people mocking publications that in the immediate aftermath said “appeared to be” an assassination attempt would condemn them if they were reckless and got it wrong. Everyone can watch the video to see for themselves. There’s no point to stating assumptions as facts within minutes of the event, even if there’s a 99 percent chance they’re correct. So far, there’s one Jersey connection: Trump went back to Bedminster after the rally in Western Pennsylvania. He left for Milwaukee on Sunday. TIPS? FEEDBACK? Email me at Mfriedman@politico.com. HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Raj Mukherji, Michael Shapiro, Tom Bonier QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Now I know how everyone felt when JFK got assassinated.” — New Jersey Republican National Committeewoman Janice Fields WHERE’S MURPHY? — Germany, for a “Choose New Jersey” trip. He’s scheduled to return to New Jersey on Tuesday.
|  | MENENDEZ CORRUPTION TRIAL | | THEY’VE GOT THE WHOLE BOB IN THEIR HANDS — Sen. Bob Menendez’s fate is now in the hands of a Manhattan jury, by POLITICO’s Ry Rivard and Daniel Han: After nine weeks and well over a million words of testimony and lawyer arguments, jurors in Sen. Bob Menendez’s corruption trial began deliberations on Friday afternoon. They will decide whether a sprawling, yearslong federal investigation and high-stakes political prosecution is a righteous takedown of a corrupt New Jersey Democrat or a catastrophic and misguided waste of time. Their decision will determine the fate of a famed New Jersey politician who wielded enormous influence on the local, national and world stage over the course of his 50-year career. At 70, a guilty verdict could very well mean Menendez will spend the rest of his life in prison. But an acquittal — or hung jury, like in his 2017 trial — would amount to a historic and extraordinary legal feat for a senator who has long accused the Justice Department of ‘hunting’ him. The jury left for the weekend without reaching a verdict. Afterward, Menendez said: ‘I have faith in God and in the jury.’” — “Menendez’s old allies: Senator’s legacy tainted, accomplishments wasted”
| | WHAT TRENTON MADE | | ‘THAT’S WHAT I LOVE ABOUT THESE POLITICIANS. I GET OLDER, THEY ALSO GET OLDER.’ — ”Will Matthew McConaughey run for office after drinking tequila with Gov. Phil Murphy?” by NJ Advance Media’s Brent Johnson: “Maybe the final push Matthew McConaughey needs to enter politics is a night of drinking tequila with New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy. The Oscar-winning actor took part in a roundtable discussion with several of America’s governors Friday in Utah, where Murphy brought up the longtime speculation that McConaughey could one day run for office. Well, actually, Murphy first recounted how he and his wife, First Lady Tammy Murphy, shared some drinks the night before with McConaughey and his wife, Camila — specifically McConaughey’s own brand of tequila. ‘I can’t recall any of it’ the governor joked. McConaughey jumped in: ‘I have proof. Visually and orally. It was great. We did have a good time.’ Murphy then asked McConaughey if he’s still considering vying for an elected position. The movie star has previously been floated as a potential candidate for governor in his native Texas.” THE BUSH LEAGUE — “W Marks the Spot: Bramnick in Maine with Former President Bush,” by InsiderNJ’s Max Pizarro: “Senator Jon Bramnick (R-21), 2025 Republican candidate for governor, is spending time this weekend with an old friend and ally: former President George W. Bush. Bramnick and wife Patricia — herself an artist — accompanied the Bushs at the former president’s studio on Walker’s Point in Kennebunkport. Bush has won praise since his presidency for his original paintings.” — “Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind wants to renegotiate power deal with NJ board” — Antoinette Miles: “Time to close down the Norcross machine” CARTOON BREAK — “Norcross enters a plea,” by Drew Sheneman
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SHE'S OUT OF THE LEAGUE — “LWV official resigns after posting she wished Trump had been killed,” by New Jersey Globe’s David Wildstein: “An online post by a League of Women Voters official from Atlantic County suggesting that she wished Trump had been killed during [Saturday] night’s assassination attempt has now led to resignation after facing condemnation from both parties. Victoria Druding, 77, told the New Jersey Globe that she took down the Facebook post she wrote saying: ‘Trump was shot!!! Unfortunately, he was only grazed.’ ‘It was some dark humor,’ Druding told the New Jersey Globe. ‘I had company, and all of us got caught up in the moment.’ … While Druding initially said she had no plans to step down from the group, she quickly changed her mind.”
—“Atlantic County League of Women Voters chair resigns after regretting Trump "only grazed",” by The Press of Atlantic City’s Michelle Brunetti Post: “[Victoria] Druding has drawn negative attention for social media posts in the past. In 2022 U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew refused to participate in a scheduled debate at Oakcrest High School, his campaign manager Ron Filan said at the time, saying Druding — who organized the debate — was biased against Republicans based on social media posts.” 11 CANDIDATES FOR A THREE-MONTH TERM — “The under-the-radar election to choose Donald Payne’s successor is nearly here,” by New Jersey Globe’s Joey Fox: “Voters in New Jersey’s 10th congressional district, a deep-blue district based in Newark, have only been represented by three members of the House over the last 75 years. On Tuesday, they’ll go to the polls to choose who will be the fourth. Rep. Donald Payne Jr. (D-Newark) tragically died in April at the age of 65, leaving his majority-Black seat in the heart of urban North Jersey vacant and triggering a special election to replace him. No fewer than eleven Democrats filed to run, creating an unusual Democratic primary — the real contest in such a heavily Democratic seat — that has managed to be both chaotic and surprisingly low-profile. The race has a clear frontrunner: LaMonica McIver, the president of the Newark City Council … In an oddly timed July special election where turnout may be dismal, however, nothing should be taken for granted. And a number of other candidates — most prominently Hudson County Commissioner Jerry Walker (D-Jersey City), former East Orange Councilwoman Brittany Claybrooks, Linden Mayor Derek Armstead, and state economic development official Darryl Godfrey — are making the case that they, not McIver, should be the voters’ choice.” — “What you need to know about N.J. special primary Tuesday to replace late Donald Payne Jr. in Congress” — “11 candidates running for CD-10 seat attend candidate forum in Jersey City” — “Rep. Jeff Van Drew to speak at Republican National Convention” — “In previously planned Trump rally, talk turns to Saturday's assassination attempt” — “NJ delegation reacts to assassination attempt on Trump” — “NJ lawmakers and politicians condemn political violence after Donald Trump rally” — “Rep. Sherrill: Abortion rights must be protected. Here’s the first step | Opinion” | | LOCAL | |
R.I.P. — “Montclair Public Schools announces death of Superintendent Dr. Jonathan Ponds,” by The Record’s Nicholas Katzban and John Connoly: “Montclair Superintendent Dr. Jonathan Ponds, who died Friday morning, was remembered for his ideals and bringing a long-desired consistency to an office riddled with temporary chiefs for half a decade. ‘It is with a sad and heavy heart that we inform you of the sudden passing of Montclair Public Schools Superintendent, Dr. Jonathan Ponds. We were informed today by his wife that Dr. Ponds passed away this morning,’ wrote Damen Cooper, Montclair's Director of Secondary Education, in an email to the school community early Friday afternoon … Neither [BOE president Melanie] Deysher, nor a handful of board members reached for comment on Friday could say if there was a procedure in place to appoint an interim or acting superintendent under the circumstances. Dr. Jonathan C. Pond's appointment in 2020 brought 'a sense of normalcy and consistency' to the district after a string of interim superintendents filled the post for much of the five years preceding his hire, according to Matthew Frankel ― an adviser to former Superintendent Penny MacCormack.” DENYRE — “Investigators find no evidence of sexual harassment in Seton Hall case,” by The New York Times’ Christopher Maag: “Investigators hired by Seton Hall University in New Jersey found no evidence to support accusations that its former board chairman sexually harassed its former president’s wife, according to a report released on Thursday. The university hired a legal firm, Perry Law, in New York to examine the claims, made by the former president, Joseph Nyre, in a lawsuit that he and his wife, Kelli Nyre, filed in February. In the suit, Mr. Nyre also said that the former board chairman, Kevin Marino, had engaged in a campaign of intimidation against him. After taking statements from more than a dozen university leaders, ‘not a single witness corroborates the alleged instances of harassment,’ the investigators wrote in the report.” TOMS RIVEN — “Toms River clerk quits, latest to give up job since new mayor took over,” by The Asbury Park Press’ Jean Mikle: “Township Clerk Michael Cruoglio has resigned, the latest high-profile township employee to quit in the six months since Daniel Rodrick became mayor. Cruoglio's last day is July 19, and he resigned even though he had 18 months left on his contract … Cruoglio is the latest in a long line of township employees to resign or lose their jobs under Rodrick's administration, including his previous appointees, Administrator Scott Tirella and his assistant, Loring Dunton, who resigned a month after taking their jobs in February. Chief Financial Officer Judith Tutela and Wendy Birkhead, head of the engineering department, also submitted resignation letters that month … It's probably safe to say the mayor is not unhappy to see Cruoglio go. Appointed in January 2023 by the council under the administration of former Mayor Maurice B. ‘Mo’ Hill Jr., Cruoglio this year was required to certify two petitions presented by residents: one aimed at repealing an ordinance that eliminated two police captains' positions, and, more recently, another that attempted to block the mayor's plan to turn operations of Toms River's animal shelter to Ocean County.”
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SAME SCHI, DIFFERENT TRIAL — “Did SCHI founder steal, or does Lakewood school owe him? Retrial scrutinizes the books,” by The Asbury Park Press’ Kathleen Hopkins: “The retrial of Rabbi Osher Eisemann, founder of Lakewood's School for Children with Hidden Intelligence, began Thursday with prosecutors alleging a money laundering scheme that the defense says is based on an inaccurate set of books. Deputy Attorney General Frank Valdinato, in his opening statement to the jury, said that Eisemann, 66, of Lakewood took $200,000 in 2015 from the school's bank account and funneled it to the bank accounts of two unrelated companies before depositing a check from the second company into his personal bank account. Valdinato alleged Eisemann then used that money to pay back a loan he owed to the school's charitable foundation. In doing so, Eisemann was ‘basically putting $200,000 in his own pocket,’ Valdinato said … Defense attorney James Mahon said the state brought charges against Eisemann despite there being what he said was no investigation, no motive, no victim and no crime. ‘In this case, the state of New Jersey has used its vast powers to charge an innocent man with two crimes,’ corporate misconduct and money laundering, Mahon said.”
YES THEY CANNA — “Jersey City loses another case in battle to stop police officers from using cannabis,” by The Jersey Journal’s Ron Zeitlinger: “Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop and his Department of Public Safety suffered another defeat in their battle to keep cops from using cannabis when a state board overturned a police officer’s termination and ordered he receive backpay. The 36-page decision by the state Office of Administrative Law related to Police Officer Mackenzie Reilly’s cannabis use now heads to the state Civil Service Commission to be adopted, modified or rejected. The Civil Service Commission has adopted prior decisions in the cases of Omar Polanco and Norhan Mansour, city police officers who were ordered reinstated and be awarded backpay … Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop has not relented in his position that police officers who use cannabis are violating federal law and cannot carry a firearm.’” NEARBY DELOREAN DISAPPEARS, LEAVING ONLY FLAMING TIRE TRACKS BEHIND — “Lightning strike hits Cape May City Hall,” by The Press of Atlantic City’s Nicholas Huba: “City Hall was closed early Friday after it was struck by lightning during a storm that produced torrential rain that flooded many streets. There is an ongoing assessment of the extent of the damage, the city said in a statement. City Hall is scheduled to reopen Monday … In July 2021, a lightning strike knocked out the city's dispatch system.” — “Hudson County leaders scramble for solution to possible loss of commuter bus routes” R.I.P. — “Young father dies protecting children in ‘extremely horrific’ carjacking, [Trenton] mayor says” — “Atlantic City fire union head calls for restoring of Ducktown engine in wake of Georgia Avenue blaze” — “Ramapo Indian Hills ends second special meeting with no action on new superintendent” — “Lakewood Township state aid doubles, but is it still not enough?” — “No airshow or beach concerts this summer, but Atlantic City busy as it regroups for 2025” — “Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and The 1619 Project creator visits Collingswood” — “Longtime [Bergen County] church pastor charged with repeated sexual assaults of teen” | | EVERYTHING ELSE | |
DOMESTIC TERRORISM — “Man plotted electrical substation attack to advance white supremacist views, prosecutors say,” by The AP: “A New Jersey man who authorities say was on his way to Ukraine to join a volunteer fighting unit has been arrested in an alleged plot to attack a U.S. electrical substation to advance his white supremacist views, the Justice Department said Thursday. Andrew Takhistov, 18, was arrested Wednesday at the Newark Liberty International Airport, where he was headed to Paris before going to Ukraine to join the Russian Volunteer Corps, a pro-Ukrainian group fighting Russian forces, officials said … Takhistov espoused white supremacist views in his conversations with the undercover agent, and in posts ‘encouraged violence against Black and Jewish communities, praised mass shooters, and discussed causing death and destruction on a large scale,’ according to New Jersey U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger.”
—“Margate Jewish Community Center rededicated in honor of Marjorie and Lewis Katz” CORRECTIONS: Based on some old incorrect clips, I used the name of the wrong former Union County public works director in yesterday’s lede. It was Joe Graziano. And Gov. Phil Murphy is in Germany, not Italy, which I knew but my fingers didn’t.
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