What will life look like for jurors after the Trump trial?
In the aftermath of former President Trump’s conviction in a Manhattan court, the 12 jurors who served on the hush money trial face a decision: whether or not to remain anonymous. Their identities were kept private to safeguard their privacy amidst potential threats.
Trump himself reacted to the verdict, stating, “It’s my honor to be doing this. It really is. It’s a very unpleasant thing, to be honest. But it’s a great, great honor.” Despite not directly attacking the jury, Trump insinuated bias due to the pool being selected from Manhattan, a democratic-leaning district.
Individuals who have crossed paths with Trump and incurred his displeasure have faced repercussions. Maine’s Democratic Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, for instance, experienced threats after removing Trump from the Republican primary ballot. Similarly, Manhattan district attorney Alvin Bragg received numerous death threats for pursuing legal action against Trump.
As the jurors conclude their service, the question arises: will they reveal their identities or retreat into anonymity? Social psychologist and jury consultant Julie Blackman anticipates a period of adjustment for the jurors as they navigate the post-trial landscape. The potential risks of coming forward, such as doxxing, are weighed against the benefits of sharing their experiences to counter Trump’s claims of an unfair trial.
For more insights on the jurors’ post-trial journey and the risks they face, tune in to the full episode of Consider This. Produced by Kathryn Fink, Connor Donevan, and Erika Ryan, with audio engineering by Tiffany Vera Castro and editing by Patrick Jeranwattanon and Jeanette Woods, this episode delves into the complexities of serving on a high-profile jury. Subscribe to the Consider This newsletter for daily news stories and listen to the podcast for in-depth analysis.
This article was written by a journalist for publication on a blog, exploring the challenges and potential outcomes for jurors after the Trump trial.