Donald Trump Wins Bid To Keep TV Cameras Out Of Tuesday’s Arraignment Hearing, Kind Of

deadline.com:

For once, Donald Trump doesn’t want cameras in the room. And less than 24 hours before the former president is set to be arraigned on criminal charges, a Manhattan judge mostly agreed.New York Supreme Court Judge Juan Merchan issued ruling late Monday denying media requests for TV cameras in his courtroom Tuesday afternoon local time.

However, he will allow five pool photographers “to take still photos for several minutes” before the proceedings officially begin. “That this indictment involves a matter of monumental significance cannot possibly be disputed,” the judge wrote in his ruling. “Never in the history of the United States has a sitting or past President been indicted on criminal charges,” he added, but cautioned there were “competing interests” to consider in terms of media access.

Conversely, Merchan will permit TV cameras to film in the hallway outside his courtroom to film as Trump and his entourage arrive and leave.

The short hearing expected to begin around 2 p.m. ET. Additionally, laptops, cell phones and other handheld devices will not be permitted in the courtroom.