Former President Donald Trump has requested live television coverage of his upcoming federal trial on charges related to manipulating the 2020 presidential election results, backing media requests for public access to the trial. Trump claims that the Biden administration is seeking to keep the trial “in darkness” as part of a politically motivated effort to undermine his chances for re-election next year. He is currently the Republican front runner for the 2024 presidential nomination, while Biden is expected to secure the Democratic Party’s nomination for a second term.
With four criminal proceedings pending against him, Trump is scheduled to face a federal court trial in March on charges of defrauding the federal government and obstructing Congress by knowingly spreading false election fraud claims. His baseless allegations of election rigging led to a violent mob storming the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in an unsuccessful attempt to block the certification of his defeat by Biden.
In a recent filing by his lawyers, John Lauro and Todd Blanche, Trump expressed support for the media organizations’ request to U.S. District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan to allow live television coverage of the trial. The filing argued that every American should have the opportunity to follow the case closely and witness Trump’s alleged exoneration from what is described as “baseless and politically motivated charges.”
The filing accused Special Prosecutor Jack Smith’s team of violating Trump’s constitutional rights and criticized Judge Chutkan for allowing such actions, thereby prioritizing the interests of Trump’s opposition over his legal protections. The document also called for full television coverage of the proceedings in order to demonstrate to the public the alleged illegitimacy of the case.
However, Smith opposed the media requests earlier this month, citing a longstanding federal court rule prohibiting broadcasts of criminal proceedings. He argued that televising the trial could potentially intimidate witnesses and jurors, as stated in a filing dated Nov. 3. The trial has yet to be scheduled, with both sides continuing to present their arguments to Judge Chutkan.
(Reporting by Jonathan Landay; Editing by Alistair Bell)
