The Manhattan state court’s historic procedures at Donald Trump’s arraignment were not allowed to be broadcast by the New York judge presiding over the case.
Although he denied the request from several US media outlets, Judge Juan Merchan did permit photographers to take photos of Trump and the courtroom before the hearing.
Among the press organizations that have requested it are CNN, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Wall Street Journal.
Trump’s arraignment has generated unparalleled public interest and media attention
Even though Trump’s arraignment is a public event, press cameras are typically not permitted to broadcast from the courtroom.
The judge pointed out the case’s historical significance in blunt words while rejecting their request.
“That this indictment involves a matter of monumental significance cannot possibly be disputed. Never in the history of the United States has a sitting or past President been indicted on criminal charges. Mr. Trump’s arraignment has generated unparalleled public interest and media attention,” Merchan wrote, according to CNN.
Trump’s attorneys asked the judge on Monday to deny the media’s plea for cameras to be allowed in the courtroom
“The populace rightly hungers for the most accurate and current information available. To suggest otherwise would be disingenuous.”
Trump’s attorneys asked the judge on Monday to deny the media’s plea for cameras to be allowed in the courtroom. The judge was informed by the Manhattan district attorney’s office that it had no opinion.
In their letter to the judge, the news organizations requested for a “limited number of photographers, videographers, and radio journalists to be present at the arraignment,” adding that they are making “this limited request for audio-visual coverage in order to ensure that the operations of the court will not be disrupted in any way.”
The media sources stated that given the seriousness of this situation, “the need for the broadest possible public access, cannot be overstated.”
Following the grand jury’s indictment of the former president last week, Trump traveled to Manhattan on Tuesday in advance of the hearing. He will probably be charged with 30 counts of money fraud.
