The identity of jurors in former President Donald Trump’s trial for allegedly paying adult film star Stormy Daniels “hush money” payments will be kept secret, New York Supreme Court Judge Juan Merchan ruled Thursday, citing potential threats of tampering or harassment.
The trial is set to begin on March 25.
Merchan issued a protective order keeping the jurors anonymous, but Trump and his lawyers and the Manhattan district attorney’s office will still know their identities.
Merchan found that there was the a “likelihood of bribery, jury tampering, or of physical injury or harassment of jurors,” and in a footnote added that Trump “has an extensive history of attacking trial jurors and grand jurors.”
The former president is preparing to go to trial on March 25 in the case brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg—the first indictment the former president faced after leaving office.