Trump's lawyers object to broadcast his arraignment, citing security concerns.
A New York judge has been asked by media outlets to broadcast former President Donald Trump's arraignment on Tuesday, but his lawyers have filed a letter opposing the request. They claim that broadcasting the event would create a "circus-like atmosphere" and raise unique security concerns.
In their letter, Trump's attorneys also argue that allowing video or photography of the proceedings would only heighten these serious concerns. Todd Blanche, one of the lawyers signing the letter, recently joined Trump's legal team.
The Manhattan District Attorney's office has responded to the request by saying it is deferring to the judge to decide how best to manage the courtroom. However, they noted that excluding or restricting videography and photography could be a "defensible exercise" of the court's discretion to maintain an orderly proceeding and avoid prejudice to the defendant.
It appears there isn't a categorical prohibition on cameras during an arraignment under existing New York statutes and case law, but the prosecutors pointed out that a similar request was denied in 2021 for Trump Organization's CFO Allen Weisselberg's tax fraud case. In that instance, the judge allowed a limited number of still photographs to be taken prior to the commencement of proceedings.
CNN is one of the outlets requesting camera access for Tuesday's arraignment.
A New York judge has been asked by media outlets to broadcast former President Donald Trump's arraignment on Tuesday, but his lawyers have filed a letter opposing the request. They claim that broadcasting the event would create a "circus-like atmosphere" and raise unique security concerns.
In their letter, Trump's attorneys also argue that allowing video or photography of the proceedings would only heighten these serious concerns. Todd Blanche, one of the lawyers signing the letter, recently joined Trump's legal team.
The Manhattan District Attorney's office has responded to the request by saying it is deferring to the judge to decide how best to manage the courtroom. However, they noted that excluding or restricting videography and photography could be a "defensible exercise" of the court's discretion to maintain an orderly proceeding and avoid prejudice to the defendant.
It appears there isn't a categorical prohibition on cameras during an arraignment under existing New York statutes and case law, but the prosecutors pointed out that a similar request was denied in 2021 for Trump Organization's CFO Allen Weisselberg's tax fraud case. In that instance, the judge allowed a limited number of still photographs to be taken prior to the commencement of proceedings.
CNN is one of the outlets requesting camera access for Tuesday's arraignment.
. Its just an arraignment, right? Like any other court hearing... I think it would be good if the public can see what's going on, especially since Trump's a public figure. And come on, it's not like he's gonna do anything crazy in front of all those cameras 
. It'll probably just be him standing there looking guilty, which is exactly what we want to see anyway 
. Let's get some transparency, I say!
. like, if he doesn't want to be seen, why not just say so? instead, lawyers are making up excuses about security and trying to hide something... meanwhile, we're supposed to believe that a "circus-like atmosphere" will ruin the whole thing? come on! 
it feels like we're witnessing some crazy stuff in real life, and i gotta say im both curious & apprehensive about this at the same time 
