During the jury selection process for the Manhattan trial involving former President Donald Trump, Judge Juan Merchan issued a warning to Trump’s lawyers due to Trump’s audible muttering and gesturing during the questioning of a potential juror. Trump faces 34 felony counts of falsifying business records related to alleged hush money payments to adult film actress Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election, marking the first-ever criminal trial of a former U.S. president.
The situation escalated on Tuesday afternoon when a potential juror was questioned about a Facebook post from 2020 that depicted an event in New York City. The post raised concerns about the juror’s possible bias against Trump, with Trump’s defense team arguing that the juror had attended an anti-Trump rally and should be removed for bias. However, the juror maintained that they could remain impartial.
Judge Merchan stated that the juror had assured him of her impartiality, and as a result, he refused to excuse her for cause. This prompted a reaction from Trump, who was reportedly heard audibly making remarks and gesturing in the direction of the departing juror. Judge Merchan raised his voice and warned Trump’s lawyer, Todd Blanche, that Trump could not disrupt the proceeding or attempt to intimidate any jurors.
This prompted a “reaction from Trump,” Scannell continued, “as the juror was leaving, he could be heard audibly saying something and gesturing in the direction of the juror leaving the room, that prompted the judge to raise his voice.”
Scannell described Merchan as “a soft-spoken judge, but firm,” and said that he “raised his voice” and said to Trump’s lawyer, Todd Blanche, that he could hear Trump uttering and warned the lawyers that their client “cannot do that, cannot disrupt this proceeding.”
“And then went on to suggest that he won’t have any jurors intimidated,” added Coates.
Merchan’s reprimand emphasized that he would not tolerate any intimidation of jurors in his courtroom. He made it clear that Trump’s conduct during the trial must be appropriate and respectful to the court’s procedures.
When Trump's lawyer questioned a juror about Facebook posts, the former president reacted audibly and visibly.
After she leaves, Justice Merchan angrily warns him via his lawyer:
"I will not have any jurors intimidated in this courtroom. I want to make that crystal clear."
— Adam Klasfeld (@KlasfeldReports) April 16, 2024
