The first criminal trial of an American president has presented more than a few logistical complications. Former President Donald J. Trump spends each day inside a heavily policed, Secret Service-swept courtroom in Lower Manhattan, where even the street outside has restricted access.
And then, during each midday break in the action, it’s time for Mr. Trump to eat.
But it would be difficult for Mr. Trump to duck out for a steak or even a hot dog, and so he orders in. He and his legal team then spend their lunch hour in an empty third floor courtroom next to the one where his trial is taking place.
On Thursday, for the president and his team, the order was 14 pizzas: four cheese, five pepperoni, four sausage and pepperoni and one chicken, bacon and ranch from The Pie Guy, a takeout place about a block from the court.
“Tony told me it was for Mr. Trump,” said Abimael Maldonado, who works at The Pie Guy, of the man who texted him the order Thursday. The order requested plates and napkins. (A person with knowledge of the lunch order confirmed Thursday’s pies were for Mr. Trump and his team.)
The midday routine is perhaps familiar to New Yorkers stuck in their apartments or their offices all over the city. The Trump team has had not only pizza, but also sandwiches and McDonald’s.
Mr. Trump’s fondness for fast food is well documented. He has been photographed eating KFC and has ordered McDonald’s for sports teams visiting the White House.
And so, shortly before 1 p.m. on Thursday, two muscular men in suits walked briskly down Baxter Street behind the Criminal Courts Building where Mr. Trump is on trial. Each carried seven pizza boxes.
The food each day must be carried into the courthouse, taken through the heightened security and maneuvered upstairs.
This was not the first time during the five-week trial in State Supreme Court in Manhattan that Mr. Trump and his associates have had pizza for lunch, Mr. Maldonado said, noting that Thursday’s was the second order this week.
Mr. Maldonado said the Pie Guy had been in business for a year and a half. The overwhelming majority of reviews on Google are favorable — praising, for example, the “super fresh ingredients and amazing staff.”
Ben Protess contributed reporting.
