As former President Donald Trump faces trial in New York over allegations of a hush money payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels, a controversial call-to-action by conservative media personality Clay Travis has sparked allegations of jury tampering. Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) took to social media to denounce Travis’ comments, where Travis urged Trump supporters to attempt to secure a spot on the jury and then “refuse to convict as a matter of principle.”
Clay Travis, a prominent figure in conservative circles and a contributor for OutKick, had written on social platform X, “If you’re a Trump supporter in New York City who is a part of the jury pool, do everything you can to get seated on the jury and then refuse to convict as a matter of principle, dooming the case via hung jury. It’s the most patriotic thing you could possibly do.” This statement quickly attracted the ire of Swalwell, who characterized the act as “Jury tampering. That’s what they do. *It’s a felony.”
The trial, which began with jury selection, concerns 34 counts of falsifying business records related to the concealment of a payment to Daniels just days before the 2016 presidential election. The situation has been intensified by the former president’s legal team’s efforts to move the trial out of New York City and the trial judge’s refusal to recuse himself over his daughter’s employment with a firm associated with prominent Democrats.
David Marcus, a Fox News columnist, acknowledged the problematic nature of Travis’ suggestion saying, “This is a dangerous road that requires the violation of a sworn oath, but I get it.” Meanwhile, national security lawyer Bradley Moss offered a sterner rebuke, stating, “Clay is arguably conspiring to commit jury tampering here by encouraging someone to deliberately engage in jury nullification. Not a wise move by Clay.”
In the context of the Trump trial, the accusation of jury tampering is a significant charge given the gravity of the case. The former president’s trials are being closely watched, with Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) stressing their importance and suggesting that they may impact voter sentiment. “I think the Trump people are going to be shocked how tuned-in America is to what’s going on here,” Raskin remarked in an interview, underscoring the widespread attention the proceedings are receiving.
Trump has pleaded not guilty to the charges and the case is expected to continue for about six weeks, marking the first of four criminal cases against the former president.
Relevant articles:
– Swalwell accuses Clay Travis of jury tampering in Trump trial
– Clay Travis Calls For Trump Supporters to Infiltrate Trump Jury ‘And Then Refuse to Convict’, Mediaite, Mon, 15 Apr 2024 16:23:00 GMT
– Raskin says Trump’s hush money trial is ‘a very serious case’, The Hill, Mon, 15 Apr 2024 00:50:00 GMT
– Trump hush money trial judge rejects new demand to recuse himself from case, The Hill, Mon, 15 Apr 2024 14:17:00 GMT