U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan in Washington asked Trump’s
lawyers to give their opinion by Nov. 10 on media requests to
broadcast the trial, which is scheduled to begin in March 2024.
In two separate filings, NBC News and a coalition of 19 media
organizations and press advocacy groups argue that the public
has a right to see an unprecedented trial of a former U.S.
president who is also the frontrunner for the 2024 Republican
nomination. They argue that a federal rule barring broadcast of
criminal proceedings is unconstitutional.
Prosecutors have said in court filings that they oppose the
effort but have not explained why. They are due to file their
argument by Nov. 3.
Trump’s lead lawyer in the case, John Lauro, previously told CNN
that he personally supported televising the trial. Lauro told
Reuters on Friday that Trump will respond "in accordance with
the Court's Order."
It is unclear whether Trump, a former reality television star
who has aggressively courted publicity in his business and
political career, will want to broadcast the trial, which will
come in the thick of the Republican nominating contest.
Trump has made extensive comments to TV cameras staked outside a
New York state courtroom, where he is currently standing trial
on civil business-fraud charges.
Federal courts, unlike many state courts, bar TV cameras and
photography in courtrooms. A U.S. judicial panel on Thursday
agreed to consider relaxing that broadcast ban, but said any
change would not happen until after Trump stands trial in this
case and a second criminal trial due to start in May over his
alleged mishandling of classified documents.
Proceedings in a separate criminal election-subversion case in
Georgia involving Trump and more than a dozen other defendants
have been televised. He also is due to stand trial in March in
New York in a case stemming from a hush-money payment to a porn
star.
Trump has pleaded not guilty and accused prosecutors of
interfering with his 2024 presidential campaign.
(Reporting by Andrew Goudsward; editing by Andy Sullivan and
Jonathan Oatis)
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