The judge overseeing former President Donald Trump’s criminal trial took issue with the ex-president during jury selection Tuesday as Trump appeared to mutter something in the direction of a potential juror, as the former president faces the threat of consequences for any misbehavior during his first criminal trial.
Former President Donald Trump returns to the courtroom during the second day of his criminal trial ... [+]
Trump’s lawyers questioned a potential juror Tuesday about social media posts she made about celebrations in New York City after Trump lost the 2020 election, MSNBC reports.
As the potential juror left the courtroom, Judge Juan Merchan said Trump was “muttering” within 12 feet of the potential juror, telling Trump’s attorney, “He was audible” and “gesturing.”
“I will not have any jurors intimidated in this courtroom,” the judge added, as quoted by the New York Law Journal, directing Trump attorney Todd Blanche to speak with the ex-president about his conduct.
Merchan ultimately did not dismiss that juror as the defense wanted, but he did dismiss a different juror over a social media post in which they celebrated Trump’s travel ban being overturned in court and added, “Get him out and lock him up.”
Trump’s spokesperson Steven Cheung has not yet responded to a request for comment.
It’s unclear how long it will take before the 12-person jury is finalized in Trump’s trial, at which point opening arguments will get underway. The trial is expected to last approximately six weeks once the jury is seated.
This story is breaking and will be updated.