'Need to be protected': Internet split as Trump's hush money trial judge admonishes media over juror fears of being exposed

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Justice Juan Merchan, who is overseeing Donald Trump's hush money trial, issued a strict warning to the media regarding the comprehensive coverage of jurors being selected, The Hill reported.

Merchan cracked down on reporters after a seated juror was dismissed on Thursday, April 18, due to frustration about the amount of information, including details about the employer and physical characteristics published about them. The court also dismissed a second juror on day three of the historic trial.

"We just lost, probably, what probably would have been a very good juror for this case, and the first thing that she said was she was afraid and intimidated by the press, all the press, and everything that had happened," Merchan told reporters.

"So really this is just a matter of common sense, and I ask you to please follow that," he demanded.

Despite losing two jurors, the third day of the trial ended with the judge selecting the complete 12-jury panel of New Yorkers and one alternate. The judge indicated that selecting the remaining five alternates should be completed by Friday, April 19.

Dismissed jurors raise concerns

The first juror who was dismissed said she might not be impartial due to the lack of anonymity after her close ones questioned her based on media reports. "I don't believe at this point that I can be fair and unbiased and let the outside influences not affect my decisionmaking in the courtroom," she said.

The second juror was dismissed after the prosecution found an article about the person's arrest in the 1990s.

Merchan, however, did not name any specific media outlets and criticized the press in general for going too far. He also imposed a gag order on reporters covering the trial.

"There is a reason why this is an anonymous jury and why we have taken the measures that we have taken, and it kind of defeats the purpose of that when so much information is put out there that it is very, very easy for anyone to identify who the jurors are," the judge said.

New York has strict state laws regarding media coverage, and it is one of the two states prohibiting cameras inside the courtroom.

Merchan stressed reporters should apply "common sense" and can "write about anything that's said on the record."

The anonymous 12-panel jury will decide whether Trump is guilty of covering up his hush money payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels during his 2016 presidential campaign to silence her about their affair.

Trump has denied any wrongdoing and pleaded not guilty to the 34 counts of fraud. The trial began on April 15 after several delay tactics by the former president.

Internet divided

While a group of social media users echoed the need to protect the jurors, another slammed Merchan for restricting press freedom.

One user wrote, "these jurors need to be protected at all cost, there should be a gag order if there's not already, they should've been brought in secretly without media attention." While another remarked, "The judge is so crooked it’s ridiculous."

"They need to keep the juror names totally confidential. Maybe that is not the rule, but this is not a typical case. I hope the judge considers that," a user added. Whereas one response read, "That's not allowed freedom of the press. These judges are totally corrupt."

Someone else said, "Those jurors are in a terrible place. No media should be allowed around building." On the other hand, an individual argued, "This Judge was taught that he holds all the power. He doesn’t."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.