THIS USED TO BE A THOUGHT EXPERIMENT for law students: Is it possible to seat an impartial jury to pass judgment on a former president of the United States? The question is becoming less and less theoretical these days. From the FBI search of Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida that yielded troves of possibly mishandled classified material to the intensifying scrutiny into allegations of election fraud in Georgia and financial misdealings in New York, it's no longer unthinkable that in some court, some day, former President Trump could face a criminal charge.
That would present a singular challenge, given that the U.S. Constitution guarantees every defendant the right to be tried by a jury of their peers. "It would be the ultimate stress test for the American judicial system," says Craig Trocino, director of the Miami Law Innocence Clinic and a former public defender. Agrees Cornell Law Professor Valerie Hans: "In a way, the Founders envisioned the possibility of this kind of event and envisioned the jury as a protection for that defendant."
But who, exactly, could claim to be a "peer" of a wealthy one-time leader of the free world? And who in America-or anywhere else, for that matter-could claim to lack an opinion about someone whose every utterance and action has been daily front-page news for seven years? Could all 160 million Americans who expressed an opinion by voting in the 2020 presidential election be disqualified, and, if so, who would be left?
This story is from the September 09, 2022 edition of Newsweek US.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the September 09, 2022 edition of Newsweek US.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Margo Martindale
Jamie Lee [Curtis, producer] called me and she says, \"Jamie Lee Curtis here. I have a project for you. And you're gonna do it.\"
Malala Yousafzai
\"AFGHANISTAN IS THE ONLY COUNTRY IN THE world where girls are banned from access to education and women are limited from work.\"
In the Eyes of the Law
Jude Law is unrecognizable as an FBI agent on the trail of aneo-Naziterrorist group in real-crime drama The Order
Gonzo Intelligence
Instead of keeping a low profile, Moscow's spies are embracing the limelight and even being welcomed home by Vladimir Putin after their cover is blown
House of Cards
Donald Trump faces negotiations between Saudi Arabia and the U.S. in his second term—could his legacy of normalizing ties between Israel and Arab nations be a help or hindrance?
AMERICA'S Most Responsible Companies 2025
IN THE FACE OF ISSUES LIKE CLIMATE CHANGE and wage inequality, consumers care about the impact of the businesses they interact with and companies are responding.
RULES OF ENGAGEMENT
THE WORKPLACE IS BECOMING A BATTLEGROUND OVER POLARIZED OPINIONS. BUSINESS LEADERS NEED TO GET BETTER AT MANAGING DISPUTES
John David Washington
FOR JOHN DAVID WASHINGTON, BRINGING NETFLIX'S THE PIANO LESSON (November 22) from stage to screen was a family affair.
A Walk in the Parks
Jim O'Heir shares his memories of the hit NBC mockumentary and its cast's hopes of a reunion
Philomena Cunk
PHILOMENA CUNK IS JUST AS SURPRISED AS anyone else at her own popularity.
