Will the Trials of Trump be Broadcasted on Television?

Should the Trial of Donald Trump be Broadcasted?

Judge Tanya Chutkan Facing Legal Challenges

Judge Tanya Chutkan, the former Boies Schiller rainmaker who is now overseeing the criminal trial of Donald Trump for attempting to subvert the 2020 election, has encountered various legal hurdles. From a recusal battle to a highly-charged gag order debate, she has even received multiple death threats. Despite these challenges, the most significant decision before Judge Chutkan is whether to allow a video broadcast of the trial. This decision has the potential to transform an unprecedented political spectacle into a media circus (source).

Media Heavyweights Petition for Video Broadcast

CNN, ABC, The New York Times, Washington Post, Bloomberg, NBC, and other major media outlets have all appealed to Judge Chutkan to allow video coverage of the trial. Their argument is that broadcasting the proceedings would provide the public with the best means to evaluate evidence of national importance. While Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 53 prohibits the broadcasting of judicial proceedings from the courtroom, media groups have pointed out that this rule technically does not prevent the use of a pool camera to feed broadcasters outside the courtroom. In response, NBC has also presented a First Amendment challenge (source).

Trump’s Legal Team Remains Silent

Interestingly, Trump’s legal team has chosen to stay out of the debate. Although his attorney, John Lauro, has publicly expressed support for televising the trial, he has not engaged in any back-channel communication with the government. It remains to be seen if Judge Chutkan will reach out to solicit the defendant’s input. On the other hand, Attorney General Merrick Garland and the Department of Justice are expected to oppose a televised trial, as they plan to present a written brief on November 3.

Read More of this Story at puck.news – 2023-10-23 21:38:11