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Attorneys for Donald Trump told a New York City judge on Monday — ahead of the indicted former president's arraignment — that they don't want cameras in the courtroom because it will "create a circus-like atmosphere," CNN reported.
Trump's lawyers said in a letter to Acting New York Supreme Court Judge Juan Merchan that he should deny the request by news outlets, including Insider, to allow cameras in the courtroom for Trump's Manhattan arraignment on Tuesday.
"We submit that the media request should be denied because it will create a circus-like atmosphere at the arraignment, raise unique security concerns, and is inconsistent with President Trump's presumption of innocence," Trump's legal team wrote in the letter, according to CNN.
Trump himself has called for mass protests outside his arraignment, saying his prosecution is politically motivated. Longtime Trump ally and GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene is hosting a rally in a nearby park on Tuesday morning with a New York-based Republican political group.
Trump's attorneys said in the Monday letter that courtroom cameras could exacerbate security concerns. The plans for Trump's arraignment depend on complex coordination between the New York Police Department, the court's security officers, and the US Secret Service, along with other law enforcement agencies.
"As Your Honor is well-aware, this case presents extraordinary security concerns (including Secret Service-related concerns) and we submit that any video or photography of the proceedings will only heighten these serious concerns," Trump's attorneys wrote.
The Manhattan District Attorney's office, which is bringing the case against Trump, said in its own letter Monday that it would let the judge decide whether to allow cameras in the courtroom, according to CNN.
This story is developing. Please check back for updates.