Donald Trump's lawyers have told a New York judge that they oppose allowing cameras to broadcast his arraignment on Tuesday, citing concerns about creating a circus-like atmosphere and raising security risks. The request was made by media outlets including CNN.
In a letter to Judge Juan Merchant, the Trump team argued that broadcasting the arraignment could heighten security concerns, particularly those related to Secret Service protection. They also pointed out that allowing cameras would only serve to amplify these concerns.
However, the Manhattan District Attorney's office, which is handling the case, has responded by saying it will defer to the judge's decision on how to manage the courtroom. The prosecutors noted that there is no categorical prohibition on cameras during an arraignment in New York law, but also pointed out a precedent from 2021 when Trump Organization and its CFO Allen Weisselberg were arraigned.
In that case, the judge allowed limited still photographs to be taken before proceedings began. The prosecutors suggested that a similar approach could be taken for Tuesday's arraignment.
CNN is one of the outlets requesting camera access for the event. It remains to be seen whether Judge Merchant will allow cameras into the courtroom, but it appears unlikely given the concerns raised by Trump's lawyers.
In a letter to Judge Juan Merchant, the Trump team argued that broadcasting the arraignment could heighten security concerns, particularly those related to Secret Service protection. They also pointed out that allowing cameras would only serve to amplify these concerns.
However, the Manhattan District Attorney's office, which is handling the case, has responded by saying it will defer to the judge's decision on how to manage the courtroom. The prosecutors noted that there is no categorical prohibition on cameras during an arraignment in New York law, but also pointed out a precedent from 2021 when Trump Organization and its CFO Allen Weisselberg were arraigned.
In that case, the judge allowed limited still photographs to be taken before proceedings began. The prosecutors suggested that a similar approach could be taken for Tuesday's arraignment.
CNN is one of the outlets requesting camera access for the event. It remains to be seen whether Judge Merchant will allow cameras into the courtroom, but it appears unlikely given the concerns raised by Trump's lawyers.
. trump's lawyers are all like "let's keep it private" but what's really going on here? they're just trying to hide something from the public right? i mean, why else would they want to block cameras from showing up? and now the DA's office is all like "oh, it's fine, we can do still pics"... yeah right, that's just a smokescreen. what are they hiding?
I'm kinda surprised that Trump's team is worried about security risks from having cameras in court 
. Like, isn't an arraignment pretty much a public event already? 
According to the Manhattan DA's office, there's no law saying no cameras can be present during an arraignment... 
Anyway, did you know that since 2013, only about 12% of federal arraignments have been livestreamed or allowed with camera access 
? That's a pretty low number considering how much drama goes down in those cases 
. Oh, and get this - the Trump Org's own CFO was arraigned in 2021 and had limited photography allowed before proceedings started 
. If that can happen, why not Trump's arraignment too? 
. But, let's be real, this whole thing is just gonna fuel the hype machine and create a circus-like atmosphere anyway 
.
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A little media presence wouldn't hurt anyone. But at the same time, I can see where they're coming from. Security is a big deal, especially with Secret Service involved. Maybe a compromise could be reached? Like, cameras in the courtroom, but no live broadcasts or anything too crazy? It's not like it's going to be some circus-like atmosphere... although that does sound kinda funny 
. I mean, we're living in a time where every major event is livestreamed and we're all glued to our screens anyway