Donald Trump’s arraignment will not be televised.
In an order issued Monday night, New York Supreme Court Judge Juan Merchan said recording equipment and electronic devices, including cellphones and laptops, will not be allowed in his Manhattan courtroom Tuesday when the former president is arraigned in state court.
A group of news organizations had petitioned the court for permission to broadcast the proceedings, along with allowing electronic devices (so it could be live-tweeted, for example), and sought extra seating for reporters.
News cameras are generally not allowed in New York courtrooms.
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The judge granted an overflow room for media observers to watch the proceedings via closed-circuit TV, and will allow still photographs to be taken in the courtroom before the hearing starts.
“That this indictment involves a matter of monumental significance cannot possibly be disputed,” Merchan wrote, noting that the media’s request for broad access was understandable given “unparalleled” public interest. “Unfortunately, although genuine and undoubtedly important, the interests of the news organizations must be weighed against competing interests,” he said.
Trump’s legal team had opposed the media requests, claiming they would lead to a “circus-like atmosphere,” raise security concerns, and could “prejudice” his presumption of innocence.
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