Special Counsel Jack Smith Opposes Televised Trump Election Subversion Trial Despite Media and Defense Requests

Judge Tanya S. Chutkan allows Trump one week to respond to the media request as Smith upholds rule prohibiting broadcasting of federal court trials; majority of Americans surveyed support televising the trial.

Despite media organizations and defence requests for the trial to be televised, Special Counsel Jack Smith has opposed this motion for the federal election subversion case against former President Trump, citing the long-term rule that prohibits broadcasting and photographing federal court trials.
Judge Tanya S. Chutkan has given Trump a week to respond to the media request, though he has yet to do so. Meanwhile, House Democrats, some defence attorneys, and a majority of Americans support the broadcasting of the trial.
Smith argues that allowing cameras for the trial would contradict the Federal Rule of Criminal procedure that insists on courts prohibiting the taking of photographs in courtrooms during judicial proceedings or the broadcasting of these proceedings unless a judge rules otherwise.
On August 1, 2023, Trump was indicted for his alleged efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election. Smith's years-long investigation into Trump's subversion of the election results is one of the most severe charges among the former president's numerous legal battles.
Despite the Justice Department refusing requests for Trump's trials to be televised, a Quinnipiac University poll showed that 71% of respondents believe cameras should be allowed in the courtroom for this particular trial.