Judge warns Donald Trump not to threaten jurors

In Donald Trump's trial for allegedly paying hush money to adult film actress Stormy Daniels, the judge warned Trump not to threaten the jury members, in the context that seven members were selected with surprising speed after being interviewed by both sides.

Judge Juan Merchan warned Mr Trump at one point that his “mumbling” was audible to jurors and said he would “not allow any juror to be intimidated in this courtroom”. The judge also directed Mr Trump’s lawyer Todd Blanche to speak to Mr Trump about the former president’s behaviour.

There had been speculation that jury selection could take weeks in such a high-profile and sensitive case. At the end of the session, Judge Juan Mercan said he hoped opening arguments could begin as early as April 22. A total of 12 jurors are needed and six alternates will be selected.

The initial potential jury pool consisted of 96 people. The prosecution and defense have repeatedly disputed the composition of the jury. Mr. Trump even called some of the group “scumbags” in a social media post on April 10.

In another development, despite the ongoing trial of Mr. Trump, many media agencies such as AP, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Politico reported last week that several high-ranking US officials visited former President Donald Trump at the Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida, to lobby for support from the 45th owner of the White House.

Former President Donald Trump in court on April 16. Photo: The Guardian

Not only US officials, leaders of some of Washington's allies and partners also came to Florida to reposition their relations with former President Trump. During his visit to the US, British Foreign Secretary David Cameron had dinner with Mr. Trump at Mar-a-Lago. Mr. Cameron was the first senior British government official to meet with former President Trump since he left office. Earlier, in early March, Mr. Trump welcomed Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban at Mar-a-Lago.

KHANH MINH

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