A prospective juror in the hush money trial of former President Donald Trump has come forward, telling the court on Thursday morning that she has concerns about being impartial during the proceedings.
Fox News learned of the development shortly after the third day of the trial was underway, which was also beset by the absence of a court reporter. Judge Juan Merchan, a favorite foil of the former president’s, joked in court that the absence was “not good.”
After sleeping on it, Juror #2 informed the court that she “has concerns about being fair and balanced,” Fox said, adding she is now being brought in for questioning.
“Monday looked like it was going to be sticky. Then Tuesday everybody thought ‘Whoa, this process could happen a lot sooner than we think,’ and then having an off day yesterday we’ll see how they do today,” said anchor Bill Hemmer.
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Selection of a jury has proved difficult, especially in the deep-blue borough of Manhattan where protestors regularly appear outside the district court to jeer the Republican as he enters each day. Inside the court, Judge Merchan has admonished Trump for muttering during interviews with potential jurors, at one point ordering defense attorneys to “control your client.
According to Fox News, Judge Merchan explicitly warned, “I won’t tolerate that—I won’t have any jurors intimidated in this courtroom…take a moment and speak to your client,’” underscoring the importance of decorum in the judicial process.
Six jurors were selected on Tuesday and another six must be yet. During the selection process, multiple people interviewed for the positions have described their animosity toward Trump or been called out for concealing old social media posts critical of the former president. Attorneys for the president have stated that the odds of a fair trial under District Attorney Alvin Bragg are steep and that interviews with hundreds of individuals may be required.
Outside the court, President Trump has avoided violating a gag order while speaking about the perceived unfairness of his 34 felony charges related to the alleged obfuscation of business records. Bragg, who has a history of downgrading felonies for most criminals before his office, instead upgraded what is typically a misdemeanor in the Manhattan district. Outside a bodega, the Republican pivoted when asked about his criticism of Bragg to instead defend mom-and-pop stores that have been victimized by violent criminals.
“Alvin Bragg does nothing, he goes after guys like Trump who did nothing wrong. Violent killers and murderers … There are hundreds of murderers all over the city, they [authorities] know who they are, and they don’t pick them up. They go after Trump,” the president told reporters.
Bragg’s progressive posture doesn’t appear to be swaying officers with the New York Police Department. On Tuesday an assortment of cops lined up to have their photos taken with Trump.
As he was getting into his motorcade, President Trump was surrounded by cops who smiled and returned compliments as he could be heard saying, “You guys are the best.” A clip of the interaction ends with Trump calling on the group of officers to join him on the sidewalk for a group photo.
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Trump genuinely loves the NYPD
They’ve been with him from the start, all the way back in the 70’s when he was a young man, with big dreams, in a spiraling city
They’re still by his side as he’s being persecuted in the city he built
This is wholesome pic.twitter.com/TCEJdgFJkg
— johnny maga (@_johnnymaga) April 16, 2024