Jack Smith is against letting cameras in the courtroom for Donald Trump's "election subversion" case.

The media have pressed for access, citing the public interest in such a historic case.

Apparently, Smith thinks he can get away with orchestrating a secret show trial of the opposition leader, and not receive any pushback.

Cameras in the courtroom?

Trump has not yet given his response, but his lawyer John Lauro previously said cameras should be there for transparency.

NBCUniversal and a group of media outlets similarly argue that allowing cameras in the room would promote confidence in the outcome of the politically explosive trial - which pits Trump, the leading Republican candidate for president in 2024, against the government of his rival Joe Biden.

Such a historic and politically sensitive case “presents the strongest possible circumstances for continuous public oversight of the justice system," the media outlets said.

“Since the founding of our Nation, we have never had a criminal case where securing the public’s confidence will be more important than with United States v. Donald J. Trump,” they wrote.

Smith says no....

Smith says the judge is bound by federal rules to keep cameras out of the courtroom.

Smith also argued that televising the case could encourage intimidation and harassment of jurors or witnesses, an argument Smith has already deployed to secure a gag order against Trump.

Ironically, Smith also claimed that televising the trial could lead to participants "grandstanding for the cameras." Smith announced the charges against Trump at a dramatic, highly publicized press conference.

"Jurors who are seated may feel intimidated, even if efforts are made to conceal their faces. And knowing that a trial is being broadcast can lead to participants grandstanding for the camera," Smith's team wrote.

What does Smith have to hide?

Trump has repeatedly blasted Smith as "deranged" while accusing the judge, Tanya Chutkan, of rubber-stamping a witch hunt.

Chutkan has already agreed to an unprecedented gag order limiting what Trump can say about the case.

Smith's case runs parallel to Trump's "election subversion" case in Georgia, which, unlike the federal case, is likely to be televised.

Many said the prosecutor in Georgia, Fani Willis (D), overplayed her hand by having Trump take a mugshot that he turned into an iconic gesture of defiance.

Perhaps Smith is concerned about letting Trump turn an unfavorable situation to his advantage.