Trump's Lawyers Push Back Against Media Outlets' Bid to Broadcast His Arraignment, Citing Security Concerns.
In a move that has raised eyebrows in the media world, lawyers for former President Donald Trump have filed a court filing opposing a request by news outlets to broadcast his arraignment on Tuesday. The Trump team argues that allowing cameras and audio recording during the proceedings would create a "circus-like atmosphere" and raise unique security concerns.
In a letter to New York Supreme Court Judge Juan Merchant, the Trump lawyers claim that the media's presence could heighten security risks associated with Secret Service-related concerns. They also point out that any video or photography of the proceedings would exacerbate these serious concerns.
Todd Blanche, one of the Trump lawyers signing the new letter, recently joined the former president's legal team and is among those pushing back against the media outlets' request.
The Manhattan District Attorney's office has also responded to the news outlets' request, deferring to the judge to decide how best to manage the proceedings. However, in a twist, they suggest that excluding or restricting videography, photography, and radio coverage could be a "defensible exercise" of the court's discretion.
In contrast, CNN is among the outlets requesting camera access for Tuesday's arraignment. While the district attorney's office notes that there appears to be no categorical prohibition on cameras during an arraignment in New York statutes and case law, they also point out that a similar request was made for the 2021 arraignment in the tax fraud case against Trump Organization and its CFO Allen Weisselberg.
Judge Merchant has yet to respond to the Trump lawyers' opposition. The arraignment is scheduled for Tuesday, with many media outlets vying for access to broadcast the proceedings live.
In a move that has raised eyebrows in the media world, lawyers for former President Donald Trump have filed a court filing opposing a request by news outlets to broadcast his arraignment on Tuesday. The Trump team argues that allowing cameras and audio recording during the proceedings would create a "circus-like atmosphere" and raise unique security concerns.
In a letter to New York Supreme Court Judge Juan Merchant, the Trump lawyers claim that the media's presence could heighten security risks associated with Secret Service-related concerns. They also point out that any video or photography of the proceedings would exacerbate these serious concerns.
Todd Blanche, one of the Trump lawyers signing the new letter, recently joined the former president's legal team and is among those pushing back against the media outlets' request.
The Manhattan District Attorney's office has also responded to the news outlets' request, deferring to the judge to decide how best to manage the proceedings. However, in a twist, they suggest that excluding or restricting videography, photography, and radio coverage could be a "defensible exercise" of the court's discretion.
In contrast, CNN is among the outlets requesting camera access for Tuesday's arraignment. While the district attorney's office notes that there appears to be no categorical prohibition on cameras during an arraignment in New York statutes and case law, they also point out that a similar request was made for the 2021 arraignment in the tax fraud case against Trump Organization and its CFO Allen Weisselberg.
Judge Merchant has yet to respond to the Trump lawyers' opposition. The arraignment is scheduled for Tuesday, with many media outlets vying for access to broadcast the proceedings live.
I'm so down for cameras at the arraignment... like, what's the worst that could happen? 
It's a public figure and a public proceeding, right? The whole idea of security concerns just sounds like a flimsy excuse to me. And come on, we're living in 2025, not the Wild West! 
Plus, think about all the people who are gonna be watching this on live TV... it's like a big show, and I'm all for transparency, fam! 
. Can't we just have a simple ceremony without all the drama? And security concerns, yeah sure, but can't they see this is all about transparency too? It's like they're trying to hide something 
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. I guess it depends on how you look at it. If we want to keep Trump in check, maybe some cameras are necessary. But if they really think it'll create chaos, then maybe there is something to it... 
I wonder if Trump's lawyers are just being dramatic about security concerns... maybe they're just not used to all the extra attention 
! I mean, who doesn't love watching politicians in action on TV? 
But seriously, I can kinda see what Trump's lawyers are saying about security concerns... my school has a similar thing with filming during assemblies, we gotta keep the hallways clear for emergencies 
. On the other hand, it feels like the media is all about the scoop today 
. Guess we'll just have to wait and see how it all plays out on Tuesday 
. And security concerns, yeah right, who doesn't know that Trump is gonna be surrounded by Secret Service agents anyway? 
It's just another way for him to control the narrative and avoid scrutiny.
. What's next, will they be filming Trump's every move? It's all just a bit of drama for our entertainment 
And what's with the security concerns? Is Trump really that worried about his Secret Service detail getting distracted by a few cameras? 
It feels like they're more worried about being famous than doing their job. 
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Like, I get it, security concerns and all that, but come on! It's an arraignment, not a top secret government meeting 
Like, I'm all for keeping things secure, but not at the expense of fairness and justice 
.