The ongoing rift between the Trump administration and media elites has reached a boiling point. With the President pushing for a televised trial in Washington, D.C., the Justice Department has reacted with caution.
In recent weeks, the Trump administration has put significant pressure on Attorney General William Barr to grant a televised trial. Such a move would be unprecedented and could set a historic legal precedent. The attorney general, however, has refused to grant such a request, warning that it would be unwise to do so.
At issue is the Trump administration’s desire to have a trial for certain individuals it believes have committed crimes, and to ensure that the proceedings are as public as possible. This could be an effective way to deter potential crimes, and as well as demonstrate the President’s commitment to “law and order.”
However, the Justice Department has highlighted several serious issues with such a move. First, there is the question of whether or not a defendant would be able to receive a fair trial, given the potential for certain segments of the public to be biased.
Second, it is unclear if Congress would have the authority to place restrictions on what could be broadcast, given the potential for politically-charged speech or biased reporting. Third, televised trials could potentially inhibit witness cooperation, as individuals could be afraid of appearing in a televised trial.
Although the Trump administration has pushed for a televised trial, the Justice Department has cautioned that such a move could create more problems than it solves. Until the issue can be further explored, any televised trial in D.C. remains purely speculative.
TV Showdown: Trump vs. Justice Dept. Over D.C. Trial
