Fulton County Judge Scott McAfee ruled Thursday that all court proceedings related to former President Donald Trump’s election interference case will be streamed live for the public, CNBC News reported. He also ruled that members of the press would be allowed to use their computers and cell phones inside the courtroom, provided that the devices are not used to record the trial.
Fulton County State Court’s typically broadcast judicial proceedings on its YouTube channel, with Trump’s proceedings not being any different. The livestreaming will give the public unprecedented access to what will be one of the most high-profile trials in American history.
Earlier this month, congressional Democrats called for Trump’s federal criminal trials to be televised.
“If the public is to fully accept the outcome, it will be vitally important for it to witness, as directly as possible, how the trials are conducted, the strength of the evidence adduced, and the credibility of witnesses,” California rep Adam Schiff and 37 members of his caucus wrote in a letter addressed to Judge Roslynn Mauskopf, who heads the administrative offices of U.S. Courts.
Trump, the current Republican presidential front-runner, faces 13 felony counts, including racketeering, soliciting false statements, and criminal conspiracy. He pleaded not guilty Thursday and will be arraigned on Sept. 6.
Trump has been iffy on whether he wants cameras at his upcoming trial in Georgia. In a separate case against him in New York City–where he is accused of filing false business records–Trump’s lawyers opposed a request from media outlets in the court.
But another of Trump’s lawyers, John Lauro, said earlier this month that cameras in court would be fine.
“I personally would love to see that,” Lauro told the media adding, “I’m convinced the Biden administration does not want the American people to see” Trump on trial.
Crystal Gross
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