Media won’t be allowed to broadcast former President Donald Trump’s arraignment Tuesday in a New York state court, a judge ruled Monday night, but he will allow some photographers to take pictures in the room hearing before the official start of the procedure.
Acting New York Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan rejected a request from several media outlets, including CNN, for permission to broadcast the historic proceedings. Trump’s arraignment — like most arraignments at the Manhattan courthouse — is a public proceeding, but news cameras are generally not allowed to broadcast from inside the courtroom.
However, the judge allows five pool photographers to take photos at the start of the proceedings “until court personnel order them to leave the jury box.”
Earlier Monday, Trump’s lawyers urged the judge to deny the media’s request to install live cameras in the courtroom. The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office told the judge he did not have a position.
Media outlets that attempted to install cameras in the courtroom argued that “the seriousness of these proceedings…and, therefore, the need for the widest possible public access, cannot be overstated.”
Trump is now in Manhattan ahead of the impeachment. A grand jury indicted the former president last week.
The indictment is also expected to unseal criminal charges against Trump, which have not yet been seen by his lawyers or the public.
The indictment stems from Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s investigation into secret payments during the 2016 presidential campaign to women who claimed to have had extramarital affairs with Trump, which he denies.
Trump denies any wrongdoing and his lawyers said last week they would fight to have the charges dropped.
Cnn
