Jack Smith cites potential witness intimidation in opposing cameras in Trump case

Special Counsel Jack Smith on Friday evening came out strong against having Donald Trump's criminal trial in D.C. telecast by media companies.

Several third-party onlookers sought to exempt the case from typical federal rules, which bar any recording equipment in the courtroom. Trump's own attorneys initially voiced support for the idea, too.

But Smith says cameras in the courtroom would be plainly against the rules.

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"The relief the Applicants seek is clearly foreclosed under Rule 53 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure and Local Criminal Rule 53.1.1," Smith wrote in the Friday filing. "Courts have long upheld Rule 53’s constitutionality, and the Applicants provide no reasoned basis for a different result here."

The filing goes on to say the Judicial Conference "has long rejected the policy prescriptions the applicants advocate."

"This Court should deny the Applications," he wrote in the nighttime brief. The Judicial Conference, Smith wrote, concluded that the "intimidating effect of cameras on some witnesses and jurors remained a concern."

Smith goes on to say the Judicial Conference reaffirmed the federal courts policy in September 2023.

"Its policy judgment was to continue to prohibit the audio or video broadcasting of criminal trials," Smith wrote. "While Applicants are free to advocate their views to policymakers, this Court should decline their invitation to ignore the binding nature of Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 53. Accordingly, the Applications should be denied."

Read the filing right here.