Donald Trump is pushing for his federal election interference trial in Washington to be televised, joining media outlets that say the American public should be able to watch the historic case unfold.
The Justice Department points out that federal court regulations forbid televised sessions and is contesting the attempt to broadcast the trial, which is set to start in March.
A previous president on trial for allegedly attempting to sway voters’ decisions in an election is the only federal example, according to news organisations like the Associated Press, that justifies an exception to this rule.
Lawyers for Trump, who has characterized the case against him as politically motivated, said in court papers late Friday that “every person in America, and beyond, should have the opportunity to study this case firsthand.”
“President Trump absolutely agrees, and in fact demands, that these proceedings should be fully televised so that the American public can see firsthand that this case, just like others, is nothing more than a dreamt-up unconstitutional charade that should never be allowed to happen again,” Trump’s lawyers wrote
Prior to his supporters’ violent riot at the U.S. Capitol in August, Trump was charged with felonies for his efforts to rig the 2020 election, which he lost to Democrat Joe Biden. In 2024, Trump is the front-runner for the Republican candidature for president within his party.
The federal election case in Washington has become the most significant and direct legal threat to Trump’s political future, which is why a broadcast trial has been requested.
Tanya Chutkan, the U.S. District Judge, seems committed to holding the trial in Washington on its planned date.
The federal judge overseeing Trump’s prosecution over separate classified materials postponed several deadlines on Friday, making it improbable that the case will go to trial in May of next year as originally scheduled. Trump is charged with numerous felonies under the Espionage Act.
