Former US President Donald Trump's lawyers have told a New York judge that they oppose media outlets' request to broadcast Trump's arraignment on Tuesday. In a letter to Acting New York Supreme Court Judge Juan Merchan, the Trump team argued that allowing live coverage would create a "circus-like atmosphere" at the arraignment, raise unique security concerns, and be inconsistent with Trump's presumption of innocence.
Trump's attorneys stated that they are required under court rules to consider potential security concerns. However, they claimed that any video or photography of the proceedings would only heighten these serious concerns. They pointed out that there is no categorical prohibition on cameras during an arraignment under existing New York statutes and case law, but argued that allowing live broadcasting would be too much.
The Manhattan District Attorney's office has also responded to the request, deferring to the judge's discretion 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 authority to maintain order and ensure the safety of participants.
A similar request was made for Trump's 2021 arraignment in the tax fraud case against the Trump Organization and its CFO Allen Weisselberg. In that instance, Judge Merchan allowed a limited number of still photographs to be taken before proceedings began.
CNN is one of several outlets requesting camera access for Tuesday's arraignment, which is scheduled to take place at Trump Tower in New York City. The outcome of the request remains unclear, with the judge ultimately deciding how to manage the situation.
Trump's attorneys stated that they are required under court rules to consider potential security concerns. However, they claimed that any video or photography of the proceedings would only heighten these serious concerns. They pointed out that there is no categorical prohibition on cameras during an arraignment under existing New York statutes and case law, but argued that allowing live broadcasting would be too much.
The Manhattan District Attorney's office has also responded to the request, deferring to the judge's discretion 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 authority to maintain order and ensure the safety of participants.
A similar request was made for Trump's 2021 arraignment in the tax fraud case against the Trump Organization and its CFO Allen Weisselberg. In that instance, Judge Merchan allowed a limited number of still photographs to be taken before proceedings began.
CNN is one of several outlets requesting camera access for Tuesday's arraignment, which is scheduled to take place at Trump Tower in New York City. The outcome of the request remains unclear, with the judge ultimately deciding how to manage the situation.
I heard from a trusted source that Trump's team is worried about the optics of having cameras in the courtroom 
. Like, can you imagine the drama and chaos if everyone's live on TV? The security concerns are legit too, with all those photographers and reporters trying to get shots... it could be a total mess 
. But at the same time, I think the DA's office is being pretty reasonable by leaving it up to the judge to decide what's best for the courtroom 
. I'm guessing Judge Merchan will make a ruling that balances out security with some level of transparency... fingers crossed! 
I mean what's more secure than a live broadcast of a public arraignment? The judge is gonna decide on this one, but it feels like they're just trying to keep Trump's lawyers' egos in check. Allowing some still pics before and after the proceedings was fine last time, why not today? This whole thing is just another example of how much things have changed since I can remember... 
. And can you blame the media outlets for wanting to show up? It's a big deal, after all!
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this whole thing is like they're trying to control the narrative but it's all about transparency and accountability you know? i think it's kinda funny that trump's team is worried about security concerns when we've seen him stir up more chaos than any protest 
anyway, shouldn't the public have access to see their former prez being arraigned? 
It's like they're trying to keep the whole thing under wraps! I mean, I get it, security concerns and all that, but come on, it's not like he's going to escape or something 
Anyway, I'm sure CNN and all the other outlets are just dying to get their hands on that footage... fingers crossed they get it! 
guess we'll just have to wait and see what the judge decides
judge merchan has already shown some flexibility in previous cases, so we'll have to wait and see what he decides this time 
. like why would u wanna watch some dude get booked?
as for the security concerns, can't we trust the authorities to handle that? it feels like trump's team is more concerned with avoiding drama than with facing the music 
. And what's with all this "circus-like atmosphere" nonsense? It sounds like they just don't want the cameras on 'em 
. Trump's team is worried about security concerns, but can't they see that having cameras would actually help prevent any... you know... drama 
. It's like they're trying to keep something under wraps because they know it might not look good on their side 
.
. The DA's office seems cool with it, but then again, maybe they're just tryin' to cover their own backsides 
... Ugh, my mind's all over the place on this one! 
security concerns and all that jazz 
but honestly who doesn't wanna see their former prez get locked up in person? 
. But at the same time, excluding or restricting videography and photography from an arraignment does seem like it could be used as a way to silence criticism or cover up something 
it's a circus indeed 
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