Judge won't allow TV cameras in New York court for Trump arraignment

The New York judge overseeing the Trump hush-money case says he won't allow TV cameras in the Manhattan courtroom when the former president is arraigned Tuesday.

New York Supreme Court Judge Juan Merchan made the announcement Monday night,  rejected a request by several media outlets for permission to broadcast the historic proceedings, according to CNN.

However, five still photographers will be allowed to take pictures of former president Donald Trump and the courtroom before the hearing begins.

Merchan in his decision made clear he nevertheless understood the significance of the matter, amid the "competing interests" to have cameras.

"That this indictment involves a matter of monumental significance cannot possibly be disputed. Never in the history of the United States has a sitting or past president been indicted on criminal charges," he wrote. "Mr. Trump’s arraignment has generated unparalleled public interest and media attention. The populace rightly hungers for the most accurate and current information available. To suggest otherwise would be disingenuous."

Trump’s lawyers urged the judge to reject the media’s request for cameras in the courtroom, while the Manhattan district attorney’s office told the judge it didn’t have a position, also according to CNN.