Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene is in New York City this morning to rally with other supporters of former President Donald Trump ahead of his arraignment in a Manhattan courthouse.
The former president is expected to turn himself in and officially find out what charges he faces and whether they are related to hush money payments to a former porn star as has been widely speculated.
Although Greene and the other organizers have stressed that their protest will be peaceful, she was still called out by name during New York Mayor Eric Adams’ news conference Monday. He warned her that no violence would be tolerated at the rally.
“Be on your best behavior,” Adams said.
Credit: TNS
Credit: TNS
The event will be held at a park near the courthouse, starting at 10:30 a.m. The other headliners are Jack Posobiec, a TV pundit associated with white supremacy and Nazism, and conservative media personality Graham Allen.
Insider Tia Mitchell will be at the rally to cover it live for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, so follow along on Twitter and look for more on AJC.com.
Credit: TNS
Credit: TNS
Trump will also deliver remarks about the indictment tonight around 8 p.m. from his Mar-a-Lago Club in Florida. Greene plans to attend that, too.
“Yes, I’m going to Mar-a-Lago,” she said in a statement to the AJC. “I’m supporting President Trump in every way possible.”
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PRIMARY COLORS. State House members had a lot to say Monday, both behind the scenes and on social media, after we reported that Democrats are encouraging a primary challenge to state Rep. Mesha Mainor. She is the Atlanta Democrat who publicly bucked her party on several occasions this session, including on a school voucher bill endorsed by Gov. Brian Kemp.
“To be clear: this isn’t just about voting differently than the party, or about having different opinions. That happens often. It’s fine,” state Rep. Michelle Au wrote on Twitter. The Gwinnett Democrat continued, “This is about floridly whipping votes in favor of a harmful bill we took a CAUCUS POSITION AGAINST. And losing.”
Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC
Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC
But GOP state Rep. Scott Hilton had more encouraging words for Mainor, while also taking a swipe at her party.
“The reality is GA Democrats are divided on this issue. Many of them know #SchoolChoice is good policy that will break the chain of poverty for thousands,” he wrote. “Unfortunately, under threat from leadership, Dems chose politics over policy. Kudos to @MeshaMainor for your courage.”
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Credit: Riley Bunch/AJC
Credit: Riley Bunch/AJC
HAPPY 404 DAY. It’s April 4, the day we stop to celebrate all things that make Atlanta great. And yes, you’re welcome to celebrate even if you live outside of the city limits and even if you weren’t able to snag a phone number with the legacy area code.
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens will mark the day by holding a news conference to provide an update on the city’s “Year of the Youth” initiative, including an effort to sign up 404 new mentors with partners like Big Brothers Big Sisters.
If you’re looking for a way to celebrate, you can head out to The Battery for a celebration that includes a Braves watch party or catch the free festival at Piedmont Park.
Today is also the more somber anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s death. The AJC’s Ernie Suggs has more on the events planned around the city today to honor King’s legacy.
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SHELTER SHORTAGE. Senate Bill 62 was one of the mostly hotly debated Day 40 bills to get across the finish line at the Georgia General Assembly this year.
Among several provisions, the legislation would prohibit any local ordinances that allow public camping or sleeping on sidewalks. During the House debate, proponents of the bill said it is meant to address the homeless crisis.
But the Athens Banner-Herald reports the legislation, which passed both chambers, is causing distress among the local nonprofits working to help people experiencing homelessness.
“I’m not an expert in legislation, but I’m having a tough time understanding this: Where exactly will they go?” said Ryan Hersh, the executive director of Athens homeless shelter Bigger Vision. “Because if it’s banned, presumably [the police] would want to bring them to a place like Bigger Vision or the Salvation Army Shelter that provides services. But we’re routinely full every night, even with people camping outside.
“There’s not enough shelter. There’s not enough emergency beds. There’s not enough affordable housing units,” he said. “There’s just not enough.”
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TODAY IN WASHINGTON:
- President Joe Biden will meet with his Council of Advisors on Science and Technology to discuss their efforts to advance science, technology, and innovation.
- The U.S. House and Senate are on recess and won’t return for votes until April 17.
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Credit: TNS
Credit: TNS
MIDWEST UP NEXT. Today is Election Day in Wisconsin and Chicago, and the results will provide new indicators of the ever-shifting political winds.
The Wisconsin Supreme Court contest pits a candidate backed by Democrats against another that is aligned with Republicans. Although the race is technically nonpartisan, the result will be viewed as the latest bellwether in swing-state politics.
The winner of the race between Republican-backed Dan Kelly and Democratic-supported Janet Protasiewicz will determine majority control of the state’s high court, which could have an impact on abortion policy and elections headed into the 2024 presidential race.
In Chicago, voters are headed to the polls for the mayoral runoff that pits a centrist Democrat against a progressive. This race will mark a high-profile competition for the soul of the Democratic Party. The candidates have focused on turning out African-American voters and have sparred on issues like public safety and education.
Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson, who has the backing of the teachers union and is the more progressive candidate, is up against former Chicago Public Schools CEO Paul Vallas, who is amoderate supported by the police union.
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Credit: David Barnes for the AJC
Credit: David Barnes for the AJC
FARM POLITICS. Republicans control every statewide elected agriculture position in the country and the Republican State Leadership Committee wants to keep it that way.
As a part of that effort, RSLC announced the leadership of its “Ag America” caucus for the 2024 election cycle, including Georgia’s Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper joining the executive committee.
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Credit: Alyssa Pointer/AJC
Credit: Alyssa Pointer/AJC
NEW CAMPAIGN. Prominent Black Christian leaders plan to hold an April 13 event at the Ray of Hope Church in Atlanta to endorse the AND Campaign, a civic organization that’s designed to represent people of faith who feel their voices aren’t being heard.
Among the leaders are Bishop Claude Alexander, Bishop Timothy Clarke and Dr. Cynthia Hale.
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Credit: Courtesy photo
Credit: Courtesy photo
DOG OF THE DAY. Since it’s a day for all things Atlanta, it’s a perfect day to meet Roxie Farokhi, the black lab mix who calls Atlanta city councilman Amir Farokhi her person.
Although Roxie spends most of her time in Atlanta, where council meetings and city smells can’t be missed, she also heads to Adrian, Georgia, as often as possible. That’s where Farokhi is planting an olive orchard with 2,100 baby olive trees.
The middle Georgia property is the perfect place for Roxie to swim, play on hay bales, and get ready for long days ahead at City Hall.
Send us your pups of any political persuasion — and cats, on a cat-by-cat basis — to patricia.murphy@ajc.com, or DM us on Twitter @MurphyAJC. We’ve got lots more coming.
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AS ALWAYS, Jolt readers are some of our favorite tipsters. Send your best scoop, gossip and insider info to patricia.murphy@ajc.com, tia.mitchell@ajc.com and greg.bluestein@ajc.com.
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