Former President Donald Trump's lawyers have filed a motion requesting that his federal election interference trial in Washington be televised. This comes after media outlets, including The Associated Press, argued that the American public should be able to watch the historic case unfold. Currently, federal court rules prohibit broadcasting proceedings, but the news organizations believe that the unprecedented nature of a former president standing trial on accusations of subverting the will of voters warrants an exception. However, the Justice Department is opposing the effort, stating that the judge overseeing the case does not have the authority to ignore the long-standing policy against cameras in federal courtrooms.

The trial, scheduled to begin on March 4, is seen as a significant legal threat to Trump's political future. He is accused of illegally scheming to overturn the election results leading up to the violent riot at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. Despite multiple attempts to delay the trial until after the 2024 election, U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan, a nominee of Democratic President Barack Obama, is determined to keep it on schedule.

In their court filing, Trump's lawyers argued that all Americans should be able to observe the trial, characterizing it as a politically motivated prosecution of the Republican front-runner for the 2024 presidential nomination. They also suggested that Trump may use the trial as a platform to reiterate his unfounded claims of election fraud in the 2020 election, which he lost to Democrat Joe Biden. Trump has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

News outlets supporting the request for a televised trial claim that a lack of transparency can sow distrust in the legal system, especially in a case where a significant portion of the electorate still believes the 2020 election was fraudulent. Rebecca Blumenstein, president of editorial for NBC News, wrote in a court filing that future generations would benefit from being able to access and view the trial, allowing journalists and historians to accurately retell and analyze this unique chapter of American history.

The Justice Department, however, raised concerns about the potential negative impact of cameras in the courtroom. They argue that the knowledge of being recorded can affect lawyers and witnesses in subtle ways, leading to grandstanding. Furthermore, witnesses who testify on camera may face harassment or threats, with their images existing indefinitely. Prosecutors expressed worries about the ever-increasing acrimony in public discourse and the potential reluctance of witnesses to testify again if they were subjected to scrutiny and harassment on social media.

While some state courts allow cameras in the courtroom, federal courts generally do not. The coronavirus pandemic prompted temporary relaxation of rules, allowing the public to listen to many proceedings over the telephone or videoconference. The Supreme Court has continued to provide a live audio feed of its arguments since the pandemic began. In September, the policymaking body of the federal courts adopted a new policy that permits judges to provide live audio access to non-trial proceedings in civil and bankruptcy cases but does not apply to criminal cases. News outlets had previously requested that the rules be revised to allow broadcasting, particularly in cases of extraordinary public interest. A subcommittee has been established to study the issue, but any potential rules changes are unlikely to occur before Trump's trial.

Trump's request for a televised trial marks a shift from his previous stance on the issue. Last week, prosecutors stated that Trump's lawyers had taken "no position" on televising the trial. Prosecutors also argued that federal rules clearly prohibit broadcasting the trial, though they acknowledged the public and media's constitutional right of access to the trial.

Overall, Trump's motion for a televised trial reflects his strategy of creating conflict and amplifying his message of victimhood and grievance. As a former reality television star, he recognizes the potential impact of having the trial broadcast live, allowing him to control the narrative and further his political agenda.