Trump's Georgia trial could be televised

Donald Trump and eighteen of his associates, including Rudy Giuliani, are set to be arraigned next week after being indicted by a grand jury in Fulton County, Georgia in connection with alleged attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 election.

While Trump's prior three arraignments took place in New York, where cameras are prohibited, and Miami and Washington, DC, where judges have the discretion to allow certain recording devices, his fourth is set to take place in a state where recording is allowed.

Under Georgia law, video cameras are permitted in courtrooms so long as they don't impact proceedings or put those involved in harm's way, thus there is a distinct possibility that Americans will soon witness Trump's trial live on television. This would truly be the trial of the century.

If a criminal trial goes forward, that, too, could be broadcast on national TV.

According to NBC News, the state's supreme court ruled in 2018 that "open courtrooms are an indispensable element of an effective and respected judicial system," and that the goal is to "promote access to and understanding of court proceedings not only by the participants in them but also by the general public and by news media who will report on the proceedings to the public." 

In order to get their cameras into the courtroom, news organizations must file a Rule 22 request, which is granted by the judge in the vast majority of cases.

Following a two-year investigation spearheaded by Fulton County DA Fani Willis, Trump was charged with violating the Georgia RICO Act, solicitation of violation of oath by a public officer, conspiracy to commit impersonating a public officer, conspiracy to commit forgery in the first degree, conspiracy to commit false statements and writings, conspiracy to commit filing false documents, and filing false documents.

Willis encouraged Trump and the 18 indicted along with him to surrender to the court by August 25.