New York's High Court Weighs in on Trump Arraignment, Rejecting Media Request to Broadcast Live Feed
Lawyers representing former President Donald Trump told a New York judge on Monday that they oppose media outlets' requests to broadcast live footage of Trump's upcoming arraignment, citing concerns about creating a "circus-like atmosphere" and potential security risks.
According to the Trump team, any video or photography during the proceedings would only heighten these serious concerns. The lawyers pointed out that this case presents extraordinary security concerns, including Secret Service-related issues, which could be exacerbated by live broadcasting.
The Manhattan District Attorney's office also responded to the media outlets' request, stating that it was deferring to the judge to decide how best to manage the courtroom. However, they noted that excluding or restricting videography and photography might be a defensible exercise of the court's discretion in order to avoid potential prejudice to the defendant and maintain an orderly proceeding.
Interestingly, prosecutors pointed out that there doesn't appear to be a categorical prohibition on cameras during an arraignment under existing New York statutes and case law. However, they did note that a similar request for audio-video broadcasting was made for Trump's 2021 arraignment in the tax fraud case against the Trump Organization and its CFO Allen Weisselberg.
The judge ultimately ruled against the media outlets' requests to broadcast live footage of the arraignment, with CNN being one of the affected parties.
Lawyers representing former President Donald Trump told a New York judge on Monday that they oppose media outlets' requests to broadcast live footage of Trump's upcoming arraignment, citing concerns about creating a "circus-like atmosphere" and potential security risks.
According to the Trump team, any video or photography during the proceedings would only heighten these serious concerns. The lawyers pointed out that this case presents extraordinary security concerns, including Secret Service-related issues, which could be exacerbated by live broadcasting.
The Manhattan District Attorney's office also responded to the media outlets' request, stating that it was deferring to the judge to decide how best to manage the courtroom. However, they noted that excluding or restricting videography and photography might be a defensible exercise of the court's discretion in order to avoid potential prejudice to the defendant and maintain an orderly proceeding.
Interestingly, prosecutors pointed out that there doesn't appear to be a categorical prohibition on cameras during an arraignment under existing New York statutes and case law. However, they did note that a similar request for audio-video broadcasting was made for Trump's 2021 arraignment in the tax fraud case against the Trump Organization and its CFO Allen Weisselberg.
The judge ultimately ruled against the media outlets' requests to broadcast live footage of the arraignment, with CNN being one of the affected parties.
... seems like they're more interested in making it into a circus than actually reporting on the facts. all this talk about security risks and potential prejudice to the defendant just sounds like lawyers trying to avoid scrutiny 
. i mean, there isn't even a clear prohibition on cameras in ny statutes or case law... why the big deal now? also, if they're really that concerned about security, maybe the arraignment should be held at the secret service HQ rather than public court 
. just don't have enough info to say for sure, but something doesn't add up 
so trump's lawyers are tryna shut down live feeds from the court during his arraignment cuz they're worried it'll be a total circus and security risks will be through the roof 
like what even is the point of having an arraignment if u cant get a glimpse of the big cheese 
guess they'll just have to stick to replays from other outlets 
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. And security concerns are definitely valid, but can't we just have some basic transparency here? I get where the prosecutors are coming from too, though - a "circus-like atmosphere" is probably not what they had in mind when they're trying to have a serious arraignment 
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And what's up with the DA's office not pushing back harder on this? It's like they're too scared of getting roasted by Trump's lawyers 
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. I mean, we've seen some crazy stuff go down in courtrooms before, so maybe the judge is just trying to keep things chill 
. Ugh, my mind is totally divided on this one 
. The whole point is that it's an arraignment, not some high-stakes trial. And what's with the security concerns? Can't have cameras in, but somehow audio-video streaming is too much for the court to handle 
so trump's lawyers are worried about a "circus-like atmosphere"?? like, didn't he already create one during his whole presidency? 
and what's with the security concerns? can't they see that it's just a normal arraignment process? 
anyway imo the judge was right tho about not broadcasting live footage its not exactly a peaceful protest or anything... just a rich guy getting arraigned lol security risks and all that stuff is def legit. also dont get me wrong i'm all for transparency and all that but come on, cant we just have some drama without having it splashed all over social media? 
anyway i think the media should be able to cover it live but at the same time i get why there would be security concerns. maybe having cameras but not live streaming could be a good compromise? idk lol who do u think should win in this drama 
I mean, can you imagine having live cameras in that courtroom? It would've been chaos 
especially with all the Secret Service drama going down. I'm glad the judge decided to keep things under wraps and avoid any potential security risks 
Plus, I don't think it's fair to expect Trump to have a 'circus-like atmosphere' on his arraignment day 
it's not like he's the main attraction or anything 
! can you believe trump's team is trying to stop us from seeing the proceedings? it's like they're hiding something 