Jury duty is a sacred part of the American judicial system, giving all regular citizens an opportunity to serve as jurors and be a check and balance over the courts — but for many Americans, it’s a hassle and annoyance.
In the case of a juror called to help judge Donald Trump in his first criminal trial of the season, there are additional complications, including potential danger of harassment or violence, and a potential struggle to be impartial.
In fact, about half of the first group of 96 potential jurors stood up and walked out when Judge Juan Merchan asked if anyone would be unable to be impartial.
Since the question was given broadly, and jurors weren’t further interrogated, it’s impossible to say what percent exited because they’d be unable to imagine Trump as innocent, what percent because they could never find him guilty, and what percent, if any, merely saw an easy exit from a job that could get messy.
Whatever their reasons, reporter Adam Klasfeld, citing CBS reporter Graham Gates in the press pool, shared the following:
“More than half of prospective jurors in the first panel of 96 people have been excused after saying they could not be fair and impartial. At least 50 were let go for that reason.”
At least nine more reportedly left when asked if there was any other reason they couldn’t serve.
Remaining jurors were asked to individually answer a series of questions, including about their employment, what news and social media they follow (they’re specifically asked about The New York Times, MSNBC, The New York Post, The Washington Post, and The Wall Street Journal among others, as well as TikTok, Facebook, TruthSocial, and Twitter/X), and whether they have any health conditions, religious needs, or other obligations that would prevent them from carrying out duties as a juror.
They’re also asked if they’ve ever been to a Trump rally or campaign event, if they’re subscribed to his newsletters or follow his social media; and similar questions about any “anti-Trump” group or entity; as well as if they are or ever have been a member of or supported groups and entities including Proud Boys, Boogaloo Boys, Oathkeepers, QAnon, or Antifa.
Near the end of the long list of questions, at #34, comes the following:
“Do you have any strong opinions or firmly held beliefs about former President Donald Trump, or the fact that he is a current candidate for president that would interfere with your ability to be a fair and impartial juror?”
According to Klasfeld, another juror was dismissed when she responded, “Yes,” to this question, and one juror could be overheard in the hallway saying, “I just couldn’t do it.”
The court day closed at 4:30pm, without a full jury empaneled, and is scheduled to reconvene Tuesday morning to continue the process.
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