Donald Trump’s lawyers on Monday urged the judge not to allow videotaping, photography and radio broadcasting of the prosecution.
In a letter to the court, they objected to the broadcast of the trial, saying it would “aggravate the already almost circus atmosphere around this case” and “harm both dignity and decency – both the proceedings and the courtroom”.
Judge Juan Mercan was due to decide the issue on Monday.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office said it would leave the case to the judge’s discretion, but noted that Merchan allowed a limited number of photos to be taken during the trial last year. of the Trump Organization, which was found guilty of tax evasion.
To bolster his legal team, Trump has also hired prominent criminal defense attorney and former U.S. attorney Todd Blanche.
Blanche had previously defended Paul Manafort, the leader of the Trump campaign in 2016. After Manafort was sentenced to prison for federal crimes, charges were brought against him for financial fraud in New York State. The federal charges were eventually dropped and Trump pardoned Manafort before leaving the White House. Blanche also represented Igor Fruman, who was an associate of former Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani.
Donald Trump will be charged at 2:15 p.m. local time on Tuesday. This was reported by the representative of the court.
After that, District Attorney Alvin Bragg is due to give a press conference in New York, and Trump is due to return to Florida and deliver a speech Tuesday night from his Mar-a-Lago residence.
Jason Miller, the former president’s senior adviser, said Monday that Trump’s campaign has raised $7 million since the indictments were announced last Thursday.
According to the latest Reuters/Ipsos poll for the past 3 days, Trump’s lead among Republican presidential candidates has increased slightly. Trump now enjoys the support of about 48% of Republican voters, up from 44% in mid-March.
Over the weekend, the NYPD began erecting barriers near Trump Tower and the Manhattan Criminal Court building. Demonstrations by supporters and opponents of the former president are expected on these points on Tuesday.
On Monday, New York City Mayor Eric Adams, a Democrat, said there was no major security threat to the city.
“While some instigators may be considering coming to our city tomorrow (Tuesday), our message is clear and simple: control yourself. New York is our home, not a playground for your misplaced anger,” Adams said, speaking to reporters.
“As always, we will not tolerate any form of violence or vandalism. And if anyone is caught participating in an act of violence, they will be arrested and prosecuted no matter who you are,” Adams added, referring to Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Green, who announced plans to manifest.
“Behave your best,” urged the mayor of New York.
Earlier Monday, President Joe Biden, when asked by reporters if he was concerned about the possibility of unrest in New York, replied, “No, I believe in the New York Police Department.”
