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President Trump expressed his frustration early Wednesday morning with the lack of clarity regarding the jury selection process for his “hush money” trial in New York City.
In a Truth Social post, the 45th president asked, “I thought STRIKES were supposed to be ‘unlimited’ when we were picking our jury? I was then told we only had 10, not nearly enough when we were purposely given the 2nd Worst Venue in the Country.”
He continued, writing, “Don’t worry, we have the First Worst also, as the Witch Hunt continues! ELECTION INTERFERENCE!” Trump was likely referring to the Washington D.C. venue where his case brought by Special Counsel Jack Smith will be tried.
CNN outlined the jury selection process for the NYC trial on Monday. Twelve jurors will make the final cut, as well as six alternates who “will also hear the case in case a juror on the main panel needs to be replaced.”
The outlet reported that the judge can dismiss any of the prospective jurors if he “finds they shouldn’t serve on the panel.”
The prosecution and the defense can dismiss 10 prospective jurors each from the pool, “no questions asked,” according to CNN.
Following the conclusion of Tuesday’s jury selection process, “four men and three women” had made the final cut, according to CNN. Judge Juan Merchan was asked by President Trump’s team to “remove five jurors for cause.” Merchan agreed that two of the prospective jurors should be struck. Those two removals did not count toward the 10 strikes allowed by Trump’s legal team.
The 45th president’s team ultimately chose to remove the other three as well. At the end of the day, both the prosecution and the defense had “four preemptory challenges remaining each,” according to CNN.
A new panel of prospective jurors will appear on Thursday when the selection process resumes. Merchan told the seven selected jurors that opening statements could begin next Monday but made clear that the date was not set in stone.
