Sleepy Joe, meet Dopey Donald …
NEW YORK: A lengthy battle has begun over who will form the jury for the historic criminal trial of Donald Trump, with scores of New Yorkers already excused because they acknowledged they could not be fair or impartial towards the former president.
On a day of drama at the start of the unprecedented case, Mr Trump appeared to fall asleep in the Manhattan Criminal Court, only to be threatened with jail time if he misbehaved during the trial and fines if he breached a gag order by attacking witnesses.
He is charged with 34 counts of falsifying business records over a $US130,000 ($202,500) payment to porn star Stormy Daniels to silence her talking about a sexual affair on the eve of the 2016 election.
“This is an assault on America … This is political persecution,” Mr Trump told reporters outside the court.
About 500 Manhattan residents will filter through the jury selection process this week for a trial – the first of a US president in history – which is expected to last six weeks.
Of the first batch of 96 prospective panellists sworn in on Monday (local time), at least 50 were quickly excused after they said they could not be impartial.
Nine others were allowed to leave after stating there were compelling reasons they could not serve, while remaining prospective jurors were grilled about their education, hobbies and news consumption.
Trump closed his eyes and at times appeared to nod off as he frequently appeared bored throughout proceedings, prompting social media gags referring to him as Sleepy Don, in reference to his derogatory nickname of Sleepy Joe for President Joe Biden.