BELOW SUPERNAV drop zone ⇩

Watch out for the quiet juror: Asa Hutchinson on Trump trial

  • First 7 jurors are chosen for Trump’s hush money criminal trial
  • Ex-governor says most excused jurors are trying to be fair
  • Hutchinson says a conviction could backfire on Trump's opponents

MAIN AREA TOP drop zone ⇩

MAIN AREA TOP drop zone ⇩

AUTO TEST CUSTOM HTML 20241114185800

AUTO TEST CUSTOM HTML 20241115200405

AUTO TEST CUSTOM HTML 20241118165728

AUTO TEST CUSTOM HTML 20241118184948

(NewsNation) — Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson says the potential jurors to watch out for in Donald Trump’s hush money trial are the ones “that don’t say very much.”

In a Tuesday interview on NewsNation’s “Dan Abrams Live,” Hutchinson warned that defense attorneys and prosecutors need to be wary of quiet jurors as they may not be as impartial as they claim.

Jury selection in the former president’s trial is moving at a faster pace than expected, with seven jurors already seated by the end of the second day of proceedings.

Hutchinson, a former Republican presidential candidate, says the accelerated pace is a “tribute to the judge holding the attorneys’ feet to the issue of selecting a fair juror.”

Despite some potential jurors expressing an inability to be impartial, Hutchinson argued that the jury system should be “valued rather than demonized.” He believes most of those excused were “trying to do the right thing” in disclosing their biases.

The proceedings have not been without drama, as the presiding judge, Juan Merchan, had to repeatedly intervene to address issues with Trump’s behavior in the courtroom.

According to reports, Merchan scolded Trump and his attorneys for the former president “audibly uttering something” and reacting visibly while potential jurors were being questioned. The judge firmly warned that he “will not tolerate” any attempts to intimidate the jurors.

In a new filing, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg also asked the court to admonish Trump again about violating the gag order, proposing a 30-day jail sentence if the former president continued his critical comments about the judge, the courts, and even the jurors.

Hutchinson acknowledged that Trump has a point regarding the gag order, arguing that the logic is questionable given the ability of key witness Michael Cohen to freely discuss his testimony on news shows.

Politically, Hutchinson believes a conviction could backfire on Trump’s opponents, as the former president could portray himself as a “victim” if sentenced to jail time. However, the “salacious details” emerging in court could also hurt Trump, creating a “split screen” with President Joe Biden dealing with serious national security issues.

The trial, which centers on hush money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 election, is expected to last up to two months as prosecutors build their case against the former president.

Dan Abrams Live

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed

Site Settings Survey

 

MAIN AREA MIDDLE drop zone ⇩

Trending on NewsNation

AUTO TEST CUSTOM HTML 20241119133138

MAIN AREA BOTTOM drop zone ⇩

tt

KC Chiefs parade shooting: 1 dead, 21 shot including 9 kids | Morning in America

Witness of Chiefs parade shooting describes suspect | Banfield

Kansas City Chiefs parade shooting: Mom of 2 dead, over 20 shot | Banfield

WWE star Ashley Massaro 'threatened' by board to keep quiet about alleged rape: Friend | Banfield

Friend of WWE star: Ashley Massaro 'spent hours' sobbing after alleged rape | Banfield

Fog

la

57°F Fog Feels like 57°
Wind
4 mph SW
Humidity
91%
Sunrise
Sunset

Tonight

Overcast. Low 51F. Winds light and variable.
51°F Overcast. Low 51F. Winds light and variable.
Wind
4 mph N
Precip
10%
Sunset
Moon Phase
Waning Crescent