WASHINGTON — Following the 34 felony guilty verdicts against former President Donald Trump on Thursday, a disturbing trend of violent rhetoric has emerged targeting those involved in the trial. The prosecutors, judge, and jurors have faced threats and harassment online, raising concerns about the safety of those involved in the case.
A nonprofit organization, Advance Democracy, noted a significant increase in social media posts containing violent language directed at New York Judge Juan Merchan and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. Some posts even included details like Bragg’s purported home address, amplifying the potential risks faced by those involved in the case.
The volatile rhetoric observed online harkens back to the events leading up to the January 6th Capitol attack, with similar websites now being utilized to coordinate threats against individuals involved in Trump’s legal troubles. False claims and inflammatory remarks circulated online suggest a concerning escalation in threats and violence directed at those associated with the hush money trial.
Individuals on various online platforms, including Trump’s Truth Social platform, have made chilling remarks about the jurors, calling for their identification and targeting. These threats have extended beyond online forums, with groups like the Proud Boys expressing ominous intentions and advocating for violent actions in response to the trial outcome.
The pattern of threats and intimidation is not new, with Trump’s previous legal cases also prompting aggressive reactions from his supporters. The alarming trend of targeting individuals involved in Trump’s legal battles raises serious concerns about the safety and security of those tasked with upholding the rule of law in the face of heightened tensions and aggression.
As online activity continues to escalate following Trump’s guilty verdict, there is a pressing need for elected officials to denounce the misinformation and violence being propagated by some of the former president’s most fervent supporters. The dangerous erosion of democratic norms highlighted by these threats calls for a unified response to safeguard the integrity of the justice system and protect those involved in high-profile legal cases.