New York v. Donald Trump, day 1: From the Politics Desk

Welcome to the online version of From the Politics Desk, an evening newsletter that brings you the NBC News Politics team’s latest reporting and analysis from the campaign trail, the White House and Capitol Hill.

In today’s edition, senior national political reporter Jonathan Allen looks at the first day of Donald Trump's hush-money trial, inside and outside of the courtroom. Plus, senior political editor Mark Murray breaks down how the public is viewing Trump's legal woes.

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Trump’s trial: A ‘freak show’ on the outside and solemn on the inside

By Jonathan Allen

Inside a courthouse nestled between Tribeca and Chinatown on Monday morning, former President Donald Trump’s lawyers argued with the district attorney’s office over procedures for a hush-money case that could send an ex-commander in chief to prison for the first time in American history.

Judge Juan Merchan advised lawyers that he was getting a little annoyed by the “minutia.” With a pool of 500 prospective jurors waiting, he wanted to get started with the process of picking 12.

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The judge also delivered Trump his “Parker warnings,” including that he could be jailed for contempt if he is absent without leave at any point during the trial. Trump, betraying little emotion, said he understood.

Outside, in a sun-filled park across the street, peculiarity reigned over pedantry.

A smattering of pro-Trump demonstrators — some wearing costumes, others carrying signs, one temporarily lowering the top of her dinosaur-themed one-piece before writhing on the ground in performative ecstasy — lent their support to the presumptive Republican nominee.

The presence of