During a hearing on Thursday, Todd Blanche, a lawyer representing Donald Trump, presented several statistics that are more commonly seen in his client’s fundraising emails than in a courtroom.
The discussion arose as the two sides in the Stormy Daniels hush money trial began debating jury selection, following the denial of Trump’s requests to delay the trial, which is now scheduled to start on March 25.
Just Security fellow Adam Klasfeld provided updates on social media, noting that prosecutors have prepared questions for potential jurors that delve into their involvement with groups like the “QAnon movement, Proud Boys, antifa, and any other anarchist groups.”
Trump and Lawyer (Credits: Salon.com)
An assistant district attorney clarified, “This is a case that might attract people who are against the system one way or another.” In addition, prosecutors aim to ask jurors about their views on the 2020 election, comparing it to a question posed in the E. Jean Carroll defamation trial last month.
Blanche’s citation of statistics during the hearing seemed designed to emphasize the potential bias of certain groups of people and to highlight the importance of a fair and impartial jury selection process.
The mention of these groups in the context of jury selection reflects the broader political and social divisions that have characterized recent years in the United States.
Groups like the QAnon movement, Proud Boys, and antifa have gained attention for their involvement in political protests and their perceived extremist ideologies.
Asking potential jurors about their affiliation with these groups could be an attempt to identify individuals who might have strong biases or preconceived notions that could affect their ability to be impartial in the trial.
The reference to questioning jurors about their views on the 2020 election is also significant, as it suggests that the trial could touch on issues related to Trump’s presidency and the controversies surrounding it.
Trump has repeatedly claimed that the 2020 election was stolen from him due to widespread voter fraud, despite multiple investigations and court rulings that found no evidence to support these claims.
By asking potential jurors about their views on this topic, prosecutors may be seeking to identify individuals who are predisposed to believe Trump’s claims and who may therefore be biased against the prosecution.
Overall, the jury selection process in the Stormy Daniels hush money trial appears to be shaping up as a crucial step in ensuring a fair and impartial trial.
The inclusion of questions about political affiliations and views on the 2020 election highlights the complex and divisive nature of the case, which is likely to remain a focal point of attention in the coming weeks.
