New York, NY – Seven jurors have been selected for the hush money trial against former President Donald Trump in Manhattan. The jury selection process is ongoing, with the aim of finalizing a panel of 12 New Yorkers and potentially six alternates.
Before the jury selection began, prospective jurors underwent a questionnaire phase where they were interviewed by both the district attorney’s office and Trump’s legal team. Observers noted that Trump was actively engaged during this process, frequently seen flipping through the jury questionnaire.
Challenges arose during the jury selection, with Trump’s attorney challenging several prospective jurors based on their social media posts. Each side in the trial has a limited number of preemptive strikes to remove jurors, with both the prosecution and defense having utilized a significant portion of their strikes.
One of the challenges included a potential juror expressing anti-Trump sentiments on social media, leading to their dismissal. Another prospective juror was struck from the pool after admitting to sharing negative content about Trump online. Despite these challenges, the jury selection process continued.
The selected jurors come from diverse backgrounds, including an oncology nurse, a corporate lawyer, and an English teacher. The presiding judge, Juan Merchan, issued a stern warning to Trump after he reacted visibly to a potential juror in court, emphasizing the importance of a fair trial without intimidation.
Looking ahead, a new group of potential jurors was sworn in and dismissed for further consideration. The trial is set to continue with the selection of additional jurors to ensure a fair and impartial hearing in the case against Trump.