Judge in civil rape case against Trump will use anonymous jury, citing risk of juror harassment

The federal judge presiding over E. Jean Carroll's civil rape and defamation lawsuit against Donald Trump ruled Thursday that he'll use an anonymous jury in the case, noting the former president's inflammatory rhetoric about the justice system.

"It bears mention that Mr. Trump repeatedly has attacked courts, judges, various law enforcement officials and other public officials, and even individual jurors in other matters,” U.S. District Court Judge Lewis Kaplan in New York said in his decision.

He also said he'll refuse to allow jurors' names in the case to become public, adding, "If jurors’ identities were disclosed, there would be a strong likelihood of unwanted media attention to the jurors, influence attempts, and/or of harassment or worse of jurors by supporters of Mr. Trump."