Trump's Lawyers Veto Camera Coverage During Upcoming Arraignment - New York Times
Lawyers representing former US President Donald Trump have formally objected to media outlets broadcasting his arraignment on Tuesday, citing concerns that it would create a "circus-like atmosphere" and compromise security.
The opposition came in a letter submitted by Trump's attorneys to the court, which stated that allowing video or photography of the proceedings would heighten "serious security concerns," including those related to Secret Service protocols. The team, led by Todd Blanche, also argued that such coverage could prejudice the defendant and disrupt the orderly conduct of the hearing.
In contrast, prosecutors from the Manhattan District Attorney's office have expressed a more nuanced stance on camera access for the arraignment. While they acknowledge that there is no categorical prohibition on cameras during an arraignment in New York statutes and case law, they also noted that a similar request was met with permission to limit still photographs prior to the 2021 arraignment.
The judge handling Trump's case, Juan Merchant, will now have to weigh in on whether to allow camera coverage for Tuesday's proceedings. The Manhattan DA's office expressed willingness to defer to the court's discretion on how best to manage the courtroom but emphasized that it would be "defensible" to exclude or restrict videography and photography.
The request by media outlets to broadcast Trump's arraignment is the latest development in a case that has garnered significant attention for its potential implications on security, freedom of the press, and the presumption of innocence.
Lawyers representing former US President Donald Trump have formally objected to media outlets broadcasting his arraignment on Tuesday, citing concerns that it would create a "circus-like atmosphere" and compromise security.
The opposition came in a letter submitted by Trump's attorneys to the court, which stated that allowing video or photography of the proceedings would heighten "serious security concerns," including those related to Secret Service protocols. The team, led by Todd Blanche, also argued that such coverage could prejudice the defendant and disrupt the orderly conduct of the hearing.
In contrast, prosecutors from the Manhattan District Attorney's office have expressed a more nuanced stance on camera access for the arraignment. While they acknowledge that there is no categorical prohibition on cameras during an arraignment in New York statutes and case law, they also noted that a similar request was met with permission to limit still photographs prior to the 2021 arraignment.
The judge handling Trump's case, Juan Merchant, will now have to weigh in on whether to allow camera coverage for Tuesday's proceedings. The Manhattan DA's office expressed willingness to defer to the court's discretion on how best to manage the courtroom but emphasized that it would be "defensible" to exclude or restrict videography and photography.
The request by media outlets to broadcast Trump's arraignment is the latest development in a case that has garnered significant attention for its potential implications on security, freedom of the press, and the presumption of innocence.
anyway, can't say i blame trump's lawyers, i mean, who wants a bunch of crazy fans in the courtroom disrupting proceedings? but at the same time, isn't it kinda weird that they're objecting to cameras like it's some kind of circus? shouldn't be about the cameras, should be about making sure justice is served 
I think it's kinda weird that Trump's lawyers are trying to block camera coverage during his arraignment... 
Like, isn't that what arraignments are supposed to be - public events where justice is served? 
I also think it's interesting that prosecutors are willing to defer to the judge's discretion... but at the same time, they're still pushing for some level of camera access. It's like they want their cake and eat it too! 
But I do think it's worth considering how these kinds of events can impact the public's perception of justice... 
! Like, what even is the point of being a public figure if not to be held accountable? 
And now they're saying it would create a "circus-like atmosphere" and compromise security? Give me a break! 
. This whole thing is so dramatic! It's like a reality TV show without the talent or charisma 
.
"circus-like atmosphere" is just code for "we don't wanna get caught on camera with our egos in a blender". i'm kinda on the side of the media outlets here tho, freedom of the press and all that jazz... gotta keep an eye on trump's antics tho
Secret Service protocols are there for a reason, but that doesn't mean we can't get some perspective on what's going down. The prosecution seems to think it's not a big deal, so why should media outlets be excluded?
when you're trying to get justice but your lawyer just wants to keep it under wraps 
#JusticeForTrump
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But at the same time, I wonder if this move is also aimed at silencing critics and preventing the public from seeing firsthand how the justice system is handling Trump's case.