More than 50 prospective jurors were dismissed en masse at Donald Trump's hush money trial on Monday.
During the first day of the first criminal trial of a former U.S. president, Justice Juan Merchan asked the first group of 96 potential jurors to raise their hands if they could not be impartial to Trump.
"More than half of prospective jurors in the first panel of 96 people have been excused after saying they could not be fair and impartial," Graham Kates wrote for the press pool. "At least 50 were let go for that reason."
Want more breaking political news? Click for the latest headlines at Raw Story.
ALSO READ: A criminologist explains why keeping Trump from the White House is all that matters
Eighteen random prospective jurors were then selected to come to the jury box to answer a 42-item questionnaire.
The process, known as voir dire, involves both prosecutors and Trump's defense team questioning jurors to determine their suitability for delivering a fair verdict.
Trump's legal strategy hinges on seating jurors sympathetic to his perspective, ideally, those who view him as a victim of political persecution.
His defense team is likely to focus on jurors who distrust governmental authorities and are skeptical of the prosecution's motives, according to MSNBC's Katie Phang.
Recommended Links:
- Trump jurors to be asked if they attend rallies, follow him on social media
- N.Y. judge cites Trump's history of 'attacking trial jurors' in 'remarkable' new order
- Trump's hush money jurors will face QAnon and Proud Boy questions
- These 'wildcard' questions may help unearth prospective Trump jurors' hidden biases
- 'Not an iota of evidence' why Judge Cannon should dismiss Trump's Mar-a-Lago case: expert
