Numerous Potential Jurors Dismissed for Bias at Trump’s New York Trial

The judge presiding over Donald Trump’s criminal trial regarding alleged hush-money payments dismissed several potential jurors on Monday who admitted they could not be impartial in determining the former U.S. president’s guilt or innocence.

During the first day of the historic trial, Justice Juan Merchan instructed nearly 100 prospective jurors to set aside any biases or preconceived notions about Trump or the case, including their political views.

Around 50 jurors were excused after stating they could not be impartial in assessing Trump’s innocence or guilt, as well as others who could not serve for various reasons.

One potential juror was overheard saying outside the courtroom, “I just couldn’t do it.”

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, a Democrat, has charged Trump with falsifying records to conceal a $130,000 payment in the final days of the 2016 presidential campaign aimed at silencing porn star Stormy Daniels regarding a 2006 sexual encounter she claims they had.

Trump’s former lawyer and fixer, Michael Cohen, testified that he made the payments to ensure Daniels’ silence before the 2016 election, which Trump won against Democrat Hillary Clinton.

Trump has denied any involvement with Daniels and has pleaded not guilty.

Many potential jurors craned their necks to catch a glimpse of Trump from their seats in the New York City courtroom.

Both prosecution and defense attorneys will aim to select 12 jurors and six alternates to hear what could potentially be Trump’s only criminal case before the November 5th election.

The jury selection process from a pool of individuals in heavily Democratic Manhattan is expected to take multiple days, followed by opening statements and testimony from witnesses like Cohen and Daniels.

Justice Merchan emphasized that in order to convict, the jurors must find Trump guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, not just that he is “probably” guilty.

A guilty verdict would not disqualify Trump from holding office, but a significant portion of independent voters and Republicans have stated they would not vote for him if convicted, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll.

Falsifying business records in New York is a felony punishable by up to four years in prison, although many convicted individuals have received fines or probation.

Trump, dressed in his signature blue suit and red tie, observed from the defendant’s table as prosecutors requested a judge to impose fines on him and remind him of the potential consequences for violating a gag order prohibiting interference with witnesses.

Trump, who is 77 years old, is required to attend the trial unless he seeks an exemption.

Prosecutors urged the judge to fine Trump $1,000 for each of three social media posts made this month related to Cohen and Daniels.

“The defendant has shown a willingness to disregard the order. He has attacked witnesses in the case, and in the past, he has attacked grand jurors in the case,” prosecutor Christopher Conroy stated.

Justice Merchan scheduled April 23rd to consider the proposed fines.

Under the gag order, Trump is prohibited from making public statements about witnesses and prosecutors in an attempt to interfere with the case.

Trump’s attorney, Todd Blanche, argued that Trump did not violate the gag order as he was responding to comments made by Daniels and Cohen disparaging him.

Cohen pleaded guilty in 2018 to violating campaign finance laws, but did not implicate Trump in that case.

Trump has referred to Cohen as a “serial liar,” and his legal team is expected to challenge Cohen’s credibility during the trial.

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Police officers were stationed outside the courthouse amidst barricades. A small group of protestors carried signs reading “LOSER” and “convict Trump already.”

While some legal experts view this case as the least significant of the four criminal prosecutions Trump is facing, it is the only one guaranteed to go to trial before the November 5th election.

The former president, who alleges he is being targeted by his political adversaries, stated, “This is political persecution,” before entering the courtroom.

In his other three criminal cases, Trump is accused of mishandling classified information and attempting to overturn the results of the 2020 election against Democrat Joe Biden. He has pleaded not guilty in all of those cases.

Bragg argues that the case revolves around an illegal scheme to impact the 2016 election by concealing a scandal that could have harmed Trump’s campaign.

Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass indicated that David Pecker, the former head of the National Enquirer tabloid, will testify that he published stories in the tabloid to support Trump’s 2016 campaign.

Also expected to take the stand is Karen McDougal, a former Playboy model, who prosecutors claim was paid by the National Enquirer to stay quiet about an affair she alleges she had with Trump.

Merchan stated that he would not allow witnesses or prosecutors to inform the jury that the affair occurred while Trump’s wife, Melania, was pregnant with their child.

Trump has expressed his intention to testify in his own defense, a decision that carries risks and could subject him to cross-examination.