Former President Donald Trump's upcoming trial in Georgia, where he is facing 13 felony counts related to his alleged interference in the state's 2020 election results, will be televised and live-streamed, according to Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee. The judge made the announcement during a hearing on the level of media coverage that will be allowed inside the courtroom. McAfee stated that the decision to broadcast the legal proceedings on a YouTube stream operated by the court was in line with the spirit of transparency.

This will be the first time cameras will be present to record the entire proceedings of one of the four criminal indictments handed to the former president. In April, photographers were briefly allowed inside a Manhattan courtroom where Trump was arraigned on charges related to alleged hush money payments made to porn star Stormy Daniels. However, cameras are typically not allowed in New York courtrooms, and the exception was made in that case due to requests from news organizations.

The trial date for Trump's Georgia case has not yet been set. However, during the arraignment scheduled for September 6, which will also be televised, Trump pleaded not guilty to all charges. It is worth noting that Trump did not appear in person for the arraignment and instead opted to enter his plea remotely.

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis initially proposed a trial start date of March 4, 2024. However, last week, she revised her proposed trial date to October 23, 2023, after Trump's co-defendants, Sidney Powell and Kenneth Chesebro, demanded a speedy trial. In response, Trump's legal team asked the court on Thursday to separate his case from the two campaign lawyers.

The decision to allow cameras in the Georgia courtroom aligns with the state's policy of permitting media coverage as long as it does not disrupt the proceedings. This move will provide the public with unprecedented access to the trial, allowing them to witness the legal arguments and testimonies firsthand.

In addition to his Georgia trial, Trump is also facing charges in two federal cases. One case involves allegations of falsifying business records related to "hush money" payments in New York, while the other is related to his alleged attempt to stop the transfer of power after the 2020 presidential election. Trump has pleaded not guilty in each of these cases and has claimed that the prosecutions are politically motivated.

Overall, the decision to televise and live-stream Trump's Georgia trial marks a significant step towards transparency and public accountability, giving the American people an opportunity to observe the legal proceedings surrounding one of the most controversial moments in recent political history.