Discontent, threats, and Al Capone: what awaits Trump's jury

Terrorists, mafia bosses - and Donald Trump. What do they have in common? During their trial, jurors face such a difficult task that they must remain anonymous for their own safety. Being one of the 12 New Yorkers serving on the jury for perhaps the most controversial politician in modern U.S. history - the former president and leading candidate for a return to the White House this November - has never been an easy job.

“This is a case that could prove important for determining the outcome of the presidential election,” said law professor Carl Tobias from the University of Richmond. About two-thirds of Americans believe that serving on a jury is an important part of good citizenship, according to the Pew Research Center, but not everyone is thrilled about it. Approximately nine percent say they have lied to avoid jury duty, a YouGov survey showed.

Anonymity will have to be monitored for six to eight weeks of the trial "because the jurors have to be completely focused on their task of reaching a legitimate verdict," Tobias said.

The physical threat to jurors is a real problem in a country where political violence is on the rise. Hardcore Trump supporters include armed militias and hundreds of individuals convicted for storming the Capitol on January 6, 2021. A man from New York confessed this week to sending death threats to a judge who was assigned to his high-profile civil fraud case earlier this year.

All of this somewhat resembles gangsters because Trump enjoys the comparisons. "I've been accused more than Al Capone," he proudly declared at a rally in October, referring to the murderous boss of the criminal organization during the Prohibition era. "Al Capone, he was seriously tough, you know? If you looked at him the wrong way, he would beat you up. He was only accused once, and I've been accused four times." Donald Trump often emerges from court and attacks the judge and prosecutors.