Trump criticizes restrictions on jury selection in New York
Donald Trump criticized the jury selection process in his hush money trial in New York, wanting more freedom to dismiss potential jurors. He questioned the restriction of only having 10 strikes, referring to peremptory challenges. Trump suggested the allotted number was insufficient due to the Democratic-leaning demographics in Manhattan, where the jurors are drawn from. Donald Trump criticized the jury selection process in his New York hush money trial, seeking increased flexibility in dismissing potential jurors. He disputed the limitation of 10 strikes, specifically referring to peremptory challenges. Trump argued that the restricted number was inadequate, considering the Democrat-heavy composition of potential jurors from Manhattan.
Former President Donald Trump took to social media on Wednesday to criticize the jury selection process in his hush money trial in New York, saying his defense attorneys should be allowed to dismiss as many prospective jurors as they see fit.
“I thought STRIKES were supposed to be ‘unlimited’ when we were picking our jury?” Trump asked in a Truth Social post, adding that he was later told he “only had 10” strikes.
Trump was referencing a tool known as a “peremptory challenge,” which attorneys can use during jury selection to dismiss, or strike, a prospective juror without having to state a reason.
New York law allots parties in low-level felony cases 10 peremptory challenges each, which Trump indicated were too few because jurors are drawn from a pool in the Manhattan area, in which a majority of residents are registered Democrats and voted against Trump in the last two presidential elections.
“I was then told we only had 10, not nearly enough when we were purposely given the 2nd Worst Venue in the Country. Don’t worry, we have the First Worst also, as the Witch Hunt continues! ELECTION INTERFERENCE!” Trump wrote, making an apparent reference to his separate criminal case in Washington, D.C.
Trump’s remarks come as he has, according to reports from the courtroom, four peremptory challenges left to use with nearly half of the 12-seat jury bench, plus alternates, still left to select. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, an elected Democrat, reportedly has four challenges left.
Trump’s attorneys also have an unlimited opportunity to raise challenges that specify reasons, such as when defense attorney Todd Blanche asked Judge Juan Merchan on Tuesday to dismiss a juror who had written on social media years ago that he opposed Trump’s executive travel ban and that the courts should “lock him up.”
Merchan granted the request. However, the judge also noted the travel ban opposition alone would not be grounds to dismiss a prospective juror but that the enthusiasm for putting Trump behind bars made the person unqualified.
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Wednesday also marked the first free day for Trump since the trial began, as Merchan does not hold trial on Wednesdays. The former president was required to sit through full court days on Monday and Tuesday as the unusually lengthy jury selection process dragged on.
Trump is set to be back in court on Thursday as the process continues.
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