Trump demands cameras in courtroom for potential election fraud case

An indictment, Mr Trump’s third in four months, could be handed down any day after he was sent a ‘target’ letter by Jack Smith

Graeme Massie

Los Angeles

Friday 21 July 2023 21:11 BST

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Donald Trump’s new lawyer will ask a judge to allow cameras in a federal courtroom if the one-term president is indicted with January 6 election fraud charges by the Department of Justice.

Mr Trump has said that he received a target letter from special counsel Jack Smith who could be set to bring criminal charges against the GOP front-runner within days.

“I would hope that the Department of Justice would join in that effort so that we can take the curtain away and all Americans can see what’s happening,” attorney John Lauro said in an appearance on Fox News.

The problem for Mr Lauro is that courtroom photographing and broadcasting are banned in federal court under the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure.

“Except as otherwise provided by a statute or these rules, the court must not permit the taking of photographs in the courtroom during judicial proceedings or the broadcasting of judicial proceedings from the courtroom,” the rule states.

Mr Lauro also explained to Fox News why Mr Trump declined Mr Smith’s invitation to appear before the grand jury investigating him.

“There’s no need to appear in front of a grand jury right now. Because President Trump did nothing wrong. He’s done nothing criminal,” he insisted.

John Lauro, who we reported was just added to Trump's legal team, says Trump declined Smith's offer to appear before grand jury because "there's no need to appear in front of a grand jury right now. Because President Trump did nothing wrong. He's done nothing criminal." pic.twitter.com/mvpbEF6jvN
— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) July 21, 2023

Any indictment, Mr Trump’s third in four months, could be handed down as soon as this week, The Independent has learned.

Mr Trump wrote in a lengthy statement delivered via his Truth Social platform that special counsel Jack Smith had notified him via letter on Sunday about the development.

“On Sunday night, while I was with my family...HORRIFYING NEWS for our country was given to me by my attorneys,” said Mr Trump. “Deranged Jack Smith...sent a letter (again, it was Sunday night!) stating that I am a TARGET of the January 6th Grand Jury investigation, and giving me a very short 4 days to report to the Grand Jury, which almost always means an Arrest and Indictment,” he stated.

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