The judge in the ongoing fraud trial of former Trump campaign chair Paul Manafort revealed Friday that he had received personal threats in relation to the case and he therefore declined to unseal the names of the 12 jurors. Judge T.S. Ellis is now under Marshal’s protection, he said.
News outlets had sought release of the names in the course of their reporting.
We don’t know the nature of those threats or where they came from but it does make one think about Donald Trump’s ongoing effort to demonize people he doesn’t like. It’s not just high-profile individuals like former CIA director John Brennan, but he has now moved on to targeting lesser-known figures who otherwise wouldn’t be on anyone’s radar. Personal harm or risk or ruining someone’s career—nothing gives Trump pause because he doesn’t give a damn about anyone but himself.
On a final note, it looks like the jury is probably heading home for the weekend and will begin deliberations again Monday.
Friday, Aug 17, 2018 · 11:25:29 PM +00:00 · Kerry Eleveld
UPDATE: Trump violated political norms by commenting on the ongoing Manafort trial Friday, defense attorney Kevin Downing then responded by violating ethics rules. Total breach and yet there’s little Judge Ellis can do to unring that bell.