Microcosm of America: White hot anger, elation outside Trump trial

A fight broke out between Trump supporters and critics outside court just before the guilty verdicts were read out.

A few hours before Donald Trump’s guilty verdict emerged on Thursday (Friday AEST) a fight broke out across the road from the Manhattan court where Trump was inside glumly waiting for what turned out to be a historic jury decision.

A middle-aged woman with an anti-Trump placard had unwisely walked into the half of Collect Pond Park designated for Trump supporters and started loudly propounding criticism of the former president.

Pushing and shoving ensued as the former president’s phalanx of loyal supporters surrounded her until a dozen-odd police offers broke up the fight and escorted her out.

US court police pose for a group photo following the hush-money trial. Picture: Getty Images via AFP.

The small square park, not more than 120 metres long, has been a microcosm of US politics throughout Donald Trump’s six-week trial, drawing loyal supporters and detractors every day.

The Trump half of the park was obvious from a distance: colourful flags, hats, stalls selling Trump paraphernalia, adorned by all walks of life, elderly Chinese ladies, Orthodox Jews, gays, blacks, pacing around amid the usual throng of journalists.

Ruben Vargas was irate the “baseless” trial had gone ahead. Picture: Adam Creighton

Ruben Vargas, who has lived in New York City for 50 years after migrating from Dominican Republic as a boy, was irate the “baseless” trial had gone ahead.

“In any court in the world this would have been dismissed; it’s only got two purposes: to cause him to have a heart attack and to deprive him from being in other places to campaign,” he told The Australian.

“Whatever happens I’ll support Donald Trump: he’s defending American values, freedom of speech.

Mr Vargas, who served in the US military for 24 years including 16 in the navy, wasn’t the only veteran around, a group that overwhelmingly supports Mr Trump according to polls.

Bronx resident John McGuigan, wearing a Gays for Trump tee-shirt, expected Mr Trump to be found innocent.

“There must be doubt in their minds because they’ve asked so many questions; a conviction would have happened fast,” he told me a little before the result emerged

“This is political persecution, this is judicial lynching, election interference, and the judge and the prosecutor are as corrupt as hell,”

he told The Australian.

Nadine Seilo was worried Donald Trump would be acquitted. Picture: Adam Creighton.

Nadine Sielo, born in Trinidad and Tobago and dominating the scene in her colourful garb on the other side, was worried the former president would be acquitted.

“Cohen looked to everyone: Congress, FBI, if you were a juror looking to acquit there’s a lot there,” she told me.

Sielo was testament to the level of disdain for the former president among his detractors, coming each day from Maryland for a week to wave her signs, even queuing overnight to get a seat in the courthouse last week.

“I slept in my chair with a garbage bag over myself to keep my spot; there were some verbal fights but nothing too bad,” she told The Australian.

“I’m from one of those shithole countries: Trump is a racist, he thinks black people are inclined to criminality,” she added, a reference to Mr Trump’s infamous remark about certain nations.

Sue Scarlett Montgommer said she was happy the justice system had been vindicated. Picture: Adam Creighton

Short film maker Sue Scarlett Montgomery of Brooklyn, said she was happy the justice system had been vindicated as she enjoying the spring sun with her friend.

“Bragg wouldn’t have brought the charges if he didn’t have a good feeling he could win. He’s not frivolous,” she told The Australian.

“This was a test: is the American experiment over or not? Are there are two tiers of justice?”

Police descended on the park in even greater force after the verdict emerged around 5pm local time, perhaps making up almost 40 per cent of a crowd that would have numbered in the hundreds.

Helicopters whirred overhead and sirens blared making a noticeable commotion in a the city that’s always loud and bustling. They kept the peace but the anger and elation, respectively remained white hot.