Judge Declares Media Blackout, No Cameras Allowed In Trump Arraignment

The Federal Magistrate Judge presiding over the arraignment of the 45th President Donald J. Trump has outright denied motions from several prominent media outlets to allow cameras into the courtroom during today's historic, and troubling proceedings.

Judge Jonathan Goodman in effect has imposed a media blackout on what is easily one of the most historically relevant arraignments in American history: the corrupt prosecution of the GOP frontrunner by his Democrat incumbent opponent.

According to The Washington Examiner, Goodman filed a ruling late Monday that denied arguments from several media outlets that the court appearance by the 45th President equates to a "special proceeding" and would fall under regular recording statutes.

The judge cited rule 77.1 for  the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida which reads in part: 

"All forms of equipment or means of photographing, audio- or video-recording, broadcasting or televising within the environs of any place of holding court in the District, including courtrooms, chambers, adjacent rooms, hallways, doorways, stairways, elevators or offices of supporting personnel, whether the Court is in session or at recess, is prohibited."
 

"The 'special proceedings' term referenced in the Local Rule is analogized to a proceeding akin to a naturalization proceeding," Goodman ruled.

"Tomorrow's proceedings are undoubtedly 'special' in that they are genuinely historic and of huge importance, but they are not in any way similar to a naturalization proceeding."

"The motion does not cite any case or legal authority which would support the view that photographs are permitted tomorrow because the first appearance and arraignment are 'special proceedings,' as that term is used in the rule," the Judge added.

The arraignment is to be held one day prior to Trump's 77th birthday. The now unsealed indictment accuses him of 31 counts of "having unauthorized possession of, access to, and control over documents relating to the national defense." However, the allegations ignore the fatal logical, legal flaw that Trump, as President, was the originator of all authorizations and therefore by the very act of keeping the documents, authorized himself to do so.

The remaining counts are related to conspiracy to obstruct justice, however, the absence of a crime negates both conspiracy and obstruction.

As of this report, journalists and rally-goers have gathered at the Miami Federal Courthouse awaiting the arrival of Trump.
 

I’m in front of the courthouse in Miami, Florida where President Trump is scheduled to be arraigned today.

Lots of media here. Rally goers are starting to flow in.@VivekGRamaswamy is set to have a press conference here in front of the courthouse in a few min #TrumpArraignment pic.twitter.com/rgkOR6Cz9H

— Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) June 13, 2023

The absence of transparency in the proceedings against the 45th President and GOP frontrunner can only serve to undermine the legitimacy of the indictment, the Department of Justice, the Biden administration, and the courts themselves further. A dangerous precedent has been set here.

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