With the start of former President Trump’s unprecedented criminal trial, there is an inescapable spotlight on the effect of potential threats to women. Before the trial, Trump repeatedly criticized the judge's daughter. The mere prospect of being identified as a juror and the potential online harassment and other threats that could come with that, led at least two women to express concern or hesitation about further participation, The Louisiana Illuminator reports. Trump’s behavior is part of a pattern that targets women and appeals to voters often based on misogyny, experts said. “We live in a society in which violence against women is unchecked and normalized,” said Juliet Williams, a professor of gender studies at the University of California, Los Angeles. “Women on the jury may have more experience with bullying, being threatened, especially being victims of violence — and so less willing to put themselves in the bullseye of that.” The jury selection process included dismissals on Thursday of two people who had initially been seated, including the woman who was excused after expressing concern that her identity could be revealed.
On Friday, a woman who was dismissed during questioning said she has “bad anxiety” and worried about people finding out about her involvement in the trial. Another burst into tears, adding: “This is so much more stressful than I thought it was going to be,” before she was excused. Williams said it’s reasonable for any juror to fear being targeted by Trump and his supporters, particularly if the verdict doesn’t go the way they wish. “The reason why women and people of color on the jury sitting alongside white men — even white women — should feel more concerned is that this is a politician who has built a base based on overt and unapologetic misogyny and racism,” she said. Sarah Sobieraj, a sociology professor at Tufts University and author of “Credible Threat: Attacks Against Women Online and the Future of Democracy,” emphasized the increasing danger of doxxing, where personal details like addresses and contact information are exposed online. Fox News host Jesse Watters exacerbated this risk on Wednesday by airing selected jurors' personal information, including their residences and workplaces.