New York judge told Trump lawyers to block media from broadcasting his arraignment on live TV, citing concerns over a "circus-like atmosphere".
Donald Trump's attorneys have opposed a request by media outlets to broadcast his arraignment on Tuesday. The lawyers argued that the event would create an unpleasant atmosphere and pose unique security concerns.
"We submit that the media request should be denied because it will create a circus-like atmosphere at the arraignment, raise unique security concerns, and is inconsistent with President Trump’s presumption of innocence," they said in a letter to New York Supreme Court Judge Juan Merchant.
Trump's attorneys also claimed that any video or photography of the proceedings would only heighten these serious security concerns. A similar request for audio-video broadcasting was made for the 2021 arraignment in the tax fraud case against Trump Organization and its CFO Allen Weisselberg, but the judge allowed a limited number of still photographs to be taken.
The Manhattan District Attorney's office responded that it would "be a defensible exercise of the Court’s discretion" to exclude or restrict videography, photography, and radio coverage. However, they noted that there "does not appear to be a categorical prohibition on cameras during an arraignment" under existing New York statutes and case law.
CNN is one of the outlets requesting camera access for Tuesday's arraignment. The judge is expected to make a decision soon on whether the media will be allowed to broadcast Trump's arraignment live on TV.
Donald Trump's attorneys have opposed a request by media outlets to broadcast his arraignment on Tuesday. The lawyers argued that the event would create an unpleasant atmosphere and pose unique security concerns.
"We submit that the media request should be denied because it will create a circus-like atmosphere at the arraignment, raise unique security concerns, and is inconsistent with President Trump’s presumption of innocence," they said in a letter to New York Supreme Court Judge Juan Merchant.
Trump's attorneys also claimed that any video or photography of the proceedings would only heighten these serious security concerns. A similar request for audio-video broadcasting was made for the 2021 arraignment in the tax fraud case against Trump Organization and its CFO Allen Weisselberg, but the judge allowed a limited number of still photographs to be taken.
The Manhattan District Attorney's office responded that it would "be a defensible exercise of the Court’s discretion" to exclude or restrict videography, photography, and radio coverage. However, they noted that there "does not appear to be a categorical prohibition on cameras during an arraignment" under existing New York statutes and case law.
CNN is one of the outlets requesting camera access for Tuesday's arraignment. The judge is expected to make a decision soon on whether the media will be allowed to broadcast Trump's arraignment live on TV.
They're basically saying that having cameras and reporters at his arraignment would create some sort of circus atmosphere, but honestly, isn't that kinda what's expected from a high-profile event like this? I'm curious to see how the judge decides though - does he side with Trump's lawyers or give the media what they want? The fact that there is no clear rule against cameras at an arraignment under NY statutes and case law makes it seem like a pretty straightforward decision.
It's not like they're going to let a little thing like "circus-like atmosphere" stop them from getting their footage of Donald Trump getting hauled away in handcuffs? I mean, it's not like the whole world isn't already glued to their screens waiting for this. And security concerns? Please, that's just an excuse to keep the public out and make the proceedings more exclusive than usual. The Manhattan DA's office should be trying to make sure justice is served, not shielding Trump from scrutiny. And what's with the whole "presumption of innocence" thing? It's not like that's going to change if we're allowed to see him getting booked! 
A little transparency never hurt anyone, right?
And what about free speech rights? The media outlets should be able to report on it. I'm kinda surprised the judge is even considering blocking it. Shouldn't he want to let everyone know what's going down? 
And all these cameras and reporters around, it's like a big circus 
. I don't blame Trump's lawyers for wanting to limit the number of people watching, but at the same time, isn't this whole thing just kinda public record or something? 
, imagine Trump trying to give his arraignment speech and everyone's like "oh no, he's wearing that suit again!" 
. But seriously, what's with all the security concerns? It's just a guy getting in trouble, not the Queen 
of England or something. Can't we just have a little fun and watch him get handcuffed on live TV? 
The lawyers are being super dramatic about it too, like "it'll be a circus" - I think Trump's already got enough circus experience running for president 
and what about the students who can't make it to school because of this circus-like atmosphere? 
. The DA's office says there shouldn't be a "categorical prohibition" on cameras during an arraignment, so why are they trying to block us? It's all just a bit fishy 
.
especially trump's team and the media outlets wanting to cover it 
like, is there really going to be a "circus-like atmosphere" if cameras are allowed in the courtroom? 
and what's with all these security concerns? Isn't that just a fancy way of saying "we don't want you watching"? 
