Judge Juan Merchan is overseeing former president Donald Trump’s hush money trial in New York City. Merchan has now criticized the press for reporting on identifying information about the jurors in the case on Thursday via Mediaite.
Merchan and the parties are going through the arduous work of constructing a fair jury this week. It has been noted that as many as seven of 18 jurors had been selected after proceedings on Monday and Tuesday, but one of those seven was dismissed over fairness concerns early on Thursday morning.
Following juror’s dismissal, Merchan addressed the press directly asper MSNBC contributor Adam Klasfeld, telling them that reporting on too much background information about the jurors “defeats the purpose” of anonymity — which is supposed to insulate them from outside pressures and protect their safety.
“The press is certainly able and permitted to write about anything that’s on the record, because it’s on the record,” said Merchan. “But I’m directing that the press simply applies common sense.”
Several media outlets have toed the line on the jurors selected so far. On Tuesday, ABC News ran a story headlined “Who are the first 7 jurors of Trump’s historic criminal trial” that went on to reveal information about where the jurors live, what they do for work, and more.
“Here’s everything you need to know about the first seven jurors of Trump’s historic criminal trial,” proclaimed ABC in several tweets promoting the article.
Here's everything you need to know about the first seven jurors of Trump's historic criminal trial: https://t.co/NcICl5uPA9
— ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) April 17, 2024
