WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 05: U.S. President Donald Trump shushes journalists before signing the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act in the Rose Garden at the White House June 05, 2020 in Washington, DC. In the midst of nationwide protests against the death of George Floyd, the U.S. Labor Department announced the unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, a surprising improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected in the wake of the novel coronavirus pandemic. (Image: Getty)
Amid Donald Trump’s hush money trial, right-wing broadcaster Clay Travis sparked controversy with a tweet that urged Trump supporters in New York to engage in potentially illegal activities to support the former president.
“If you’re a Trump supporter in New York City who is a part of the jury pool, do everything you can to get seated on the jury and then refuse to convict as a matter of principle, dooming the case via hung jury,” he posted. “It’s the most patriotic thing you could possibly do.”
Travis’ suggestion quickly drew attention to potential legal implications. Lying to gain a place on a jury is a federal crime, and individuals who serve on a jury are expected to base their verdict solely on the evidence presented in the trial. Social media users quickly pointed out that Travis’s call to action was jury tampering, a felony offense.
When confronted with accusations of jury tampering, Travis maintained that his suggestion was not equivalent to tampering with the jury selection process. However, many critics remained skeptical of his interpretation as the legal system relies on impartiality and respect for the rule of law. Any attempt to manipulate or undermine this process raises concerns about the integrity of our justice system and the fundamental principles upon which it is built.
On Monday morning, the Manhattan criminal courthouse saw several hundred New Yorkers arrive to potentially serve as jurors in a trial that will go down in history.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who unveiled a 34-count indictment against Trump a year ago, will present his case in the coming weeks. Bragg aims to persuade 12 jurors and six alternates that the former president engaged in document falsification to conceal damning information from voters and bolster his chances of success in the 2016 presidential election. The case marks the first instance where a current or former U.S. president faces criminal charges.
Trump, who pleaded not guilty to the felony charges last year, has since been represented by a legal team that has made numerous attempts to delay the trial. They have made at least 11 such motions, which include three unsuccessful endeavors last week to have a New York Appellate Court halt the proceedings.
The former president has consistently labeled the entire prosecution a “witch hunt” and claimed it amounts to “election interference.” Meanwhile, Trump is actively campaigning as the presumptive Republican nominee for the 2024 presidential election.
On Tuesday, the judge in the case admonished Trump for trying to “intimidate” a juror.
Trump faces potential prison time if he is convicted.
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