New federal rules that were released on September 12, 2023, have severely impacted the trajectory of Donald Trump's federal trials.
If they were broadcast on television, they surely would have been must-see tv, right?
A rules-making body behind America's federal court system, the Judicial Conference, put out a new rule on September 12 saying that it will allow "judges presiding over civil and bankruptcy cases to provide the public live audio access to non-trial proceedings that do not involve witness testimony." He then added that "the change approved Tuesday does not extend to criminal proceedings."
Current rules for federal trials are pretty clear:
That's the rule, and they're sticking to it.
If there were any exceptions in the past, they're gone now.
"Temporary permission to conduct some criminal proceedings by videoconference or teleconference, which had been granted under the 2020 CARES Act, ended on May 10, 2023," the rules-making body said. "Courts have already discontinued use of virtual criminal proceedings, except as otherwise authorized. The revision also does not affect a judge’s ability to allow parties and counsel to appear remotely by teleconference and videoconference."
Democrats and some Republicans have called on the body to make exceptions for Donald Trump's criminal cases.
About 40 House Democrats all wrote a letter saying it would be crucial for transparency and "our democratic institutions."
"Given the historic nature of the charges brought forth in these cases, it is hard to imagine a more powerful circumstance for televised proceedings," the Democrats' letter said. "If the public is to fully accept the outcome, it will be vitally important for it to witness, as directly as possible, how the trials are conducted, the strength of the evidence adduced and the credibility of witnesses."
One of Trump's lawyers, John Lauro, feels the same way as the Democrats.
"I personally would love to see that," Lauro said, saying he believes that Crooked Joe Biden and his dirty administration actually "does not want the American people to see the truth."
That's because the case against Trump isn't about truth.
It's about control, and making sure Trump makes as little noise as possible in the 2024 eleciton.
