Special Counsel Jack Smith is pushing to disallow cameras in former President Trump’s election interference trial.
In a Friday filing, Smith asked the court to deny applications by a group of media organizations, which he refers to as “Media Coalition,” and NBCUniversal to “record and telecast” Trump’s federal 2020 election interference trial.
Smith argued federal and local rules prohibit “the relief the Applicants seek,” to allow cameras in the courtroom during the trial. Smith also said “the policy prescription the Applicants advocate” has repeatedly been rejected, and the court should continue to deny the applications.
Smith’s ask comes in response to the “Media Coalition’s” request in early October for the judge overseeing the case to allow cameras in the courtroom. In it, the outlets argued that Trump’s status as a former president, current presidential candidate and the charges he faces “presents the strongest possible circumstances for continuous oversight of the justice system.”
“We have never, in the history of our Nation, had a federal criminal trial that warrants audiovisual access more than the federal prosecution of former President Trump for allegedly trying to subvert the will of the people,” the outlets said.
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