Judge Merchan sounded irate just now, telling Todd Blanche that Trump appeared to be intimidating a potential juror. “He was gesturing and he was speaking in [their] direction,” Merchan said. “I won’t tolerate that — I will not have any jurors intimidated in this courtroom.”
This was after the juror was brought in on her own after Blanche said the defense found posts on her Facebook account contradicting her answers this morning. ADA Steinglass said the post — a video of people celebrating Biden’s win in NYC — was not evidence of bias.
The woman explained that she came upon the moment moving her car, and “it reminded me of the 7 o’clock cheer for the healthcare workers,” which she used to do with her kids on their fire escape. She said she realized the importance of being impartial; Merchan found her credible.
Another person said on FB: “Good news!! Trump lost his court battle on his unlawful travel ban!!!” “If it ended there, I wouldn’t really have a major problem with it,” Merchan said, but it continued, “Get him out and lock him up” “I don’t think I can allow this juror to remain”
Next was a woman whose partner had posted anti-Trump sentiments online. “These are posts from over—more than 8 years ago,” Merchan said. “If this is the worst thing you were able to find ... it gives me confidence that this juror can be fair and impartial.”
Blanche came upon an AI video depicting Trump saying, “I’m dumb as fuck” when looking into another guy. “It was just something that I reposted,” the man said. “What I think of the defendant outside of this room has nothing to do with the merits of the case.” Dismissed for cause.
That last one is the same man who said nobody, including former presidents and janitors, is above the law -- and that he'd tell Blanche how he felt about his client if they met at a bar.
Another woman Merchan found credible said she couldn’t remember sharing satirical posts about Trump and was not political online. “We have big disagreements, your client and myself, there are certainly things he’s said I don’t care for…but when I come in here, that can’t count”
One of the posts tied to the last woman's online accounts, per pooler @coryramey, said: "Republicans projected to pick up 70 seats in prison." Same juror who said earlier she was losing sleep over this case.
Half of Trump's jury in the hush money case are taking their seats and are about to be empaneled -- and become a part of history.
The first six jurors have been sworn in with 12 to go (including six alternates) "We don't know exactly how long that's going to take," Merchan says, telling them to plan on coming back Monday morning. The judge warns them not to tell anyone they're a juror in this case.