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Two of the seven members of the jury selected for the criminal trial in New York against former President Donald Trump were dismissed by the judge on Thursday. This means that five more jurors are needed to begin the hearings, as many have declared that they cannot be impartial. The first juror challenged, identified only as Juror 2, expressed concerns about being identified despite her name not being public. The exact reasons for the dismissal of the second juror are unknown, but the Prosecutor’s Office had expressed concerns about their credibility based on their questionnaire answers.
The judge, Juan Merchán, hopes to complete the selection of the remaining jurors, totaling 12 plus six alternates, by Friday. The judge criticized the press for publishing information that made it easier for jurors to be identified and asked them to refrain from writing about the physical appearance of those selected. The process of selecting jurors for the trial against Trump, the first of its kind for a former president, continues as additional challenges and inconsistencies arise.
Trump has pleaded not guilty to 34 charges related to the alleged payment of $130,000 to porn actress Stormy Daniels to conceal a relationship before the 2016 elections. Despite arriving at court in Manhattan on Thursday without commenting to the press, Trump’s trial is expected to last two months. Challenges and delays in the jury selection process could impact the start of trial hearings, with further jurors being questioned for inconsistencies.
In total, 48 potential jurors were ruled out for impartiality reasons and nine others for different reasons. The trial against Trump marks a historic moment in American politics, as the former president faces criminal charges related to his alleged involvement in the payment cover-up. The unexpected challenges in the jury selection process highlight the complexities and sensitivities of conducting a fair and impartial trial against such a high-profile individual.