The highly anticipated criminal trial of former President Donald Trump is set to begin on April 15th. On Monday, the New York judge presiding over the case released a jury selection questionnaire, which consists of 42 questions that potential jurors will be asked.
The questions cover a wide range of topics, including whether prospective jurors have ever attended a rally or campaign event for Trump, if they are affiliated with far-right extremist groups such as QAnon or the Proud Boys, and where they get their news from. Notably, the questionnaire does not include any questions about whether prospective jurors like Trump. Instead, the focus is on their qualifications and ability to set aside personal biases.
In his order on Monday, New York Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan described the questionnaire as “broad and exhaustive.” He emphasized that its purpose is to ensure that potential jurors can base their decision on evidence and the law rather than personal feelings or biases towards Trump or any other party involved in the case.
The trial is expected to last approximately six weeks during which time jurors will be tasked with determining whether Trump falsified business documents as part of an alleged illegal scheme to influence the 2016 presidential election. Trump has pleaded not guilty to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in the first degree.
