On Monday (April 3), multiple reports surfaced that New York Judge Juan Merchan wouldn’t allow video cameras in the courtroom where former President Donald Trump would be arraigned but would allow a handful of photographers to capture pictures in the courtroom.
Merchan made his ruling after Trump’s attorneys argued that video cameras shouldn’t be allowed in the courtroom as the atmosphere would become “circus-like.”
ABC News and MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow were among the first to report on the ruling, which would only allow five still photographers to enter the courtroom for several minutes before being required to vacate the room.
In his decision, Merchan acknowledged the “monumental significance” of the indictment, claiming it couldn’t be “disputed” given that this would be the first time a sitting or former U.S. President is indicted on criminal charges.
According to reports, Merchan will also not allow electronic devices into the courtroom or overflow rooms during the arraignment.
Trump’s arraignment on Tuesday — and the charges he could face — have made headlines since a Manhattan Grand Jury voted to indict the former President on Thursday (March 30).
The vote followed a years-long investigation by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg into $130,000 paid to adult film actress Stormy Daniels.
Trump’s former attorney Michael Cohen paid Daniels the six-figure sum in exchange for her silence about an alleged affair she had with the former President a decade before the 2016 Presidential election.
Trump paid Cohen back in installments but denied he instructed Cohen to pay Daniels and denied the affair.
While the charges Trump will face haven’t been revealed because the indictment will remain sealed until after the arraignment, it’s speculated it will have to do with how Trump recorded the payments made to Cohen.
