The press doxxing the jurors

Just yesterday, I denounced news outlets for airing personal details about jurors. They are doing so to generate ratings for their obsessive coverage of Trump’s hush money criminal trial. 

But I warned that they were blatantly aiding and abetting Trump’s efforts to intimidate jurors. Less than 24 hours later, this breaking news confirms it:

A juror sworn onto Donald Trump’s jury panel Tuesday was dismissed Thursday morning after expressing concerns that part of her identity were made public by the media. Merchan then addressed the press in court, telling them ‘there’s a reason this is an anonymous jury.’

‘We just lost what probably would’ve been a very good juror,’ Merchan said. The judge said the juror said she was ‘afraid’ and felt intimated by the press.

(CNN, April 18, 2024)

For what it’s worth, this vindicates my long-standing call for professional juries.

Enemy of the people

For years, I’ve vented unbridled contempt for the press. But it’s beyond contempt that a judge had to scold them like this.

Unfortunately, their rabid coverage of Trump — driven purely by ratings — knows no bounds. And, with all due respect to Judge Merchan, they don’t give a damn that they are helping Trump intimidate jurors. Indeed, imagine the help they’ll provide when it comes to intimidating witnesses.

Trump is famous for projecting. So, this shameful day for the press throws into ironic relief his constant refrain about the press being the enemy of the people. Because they are proving him right.