Magistrate Judge Jonathan Goodman denied a motion by various media companies to allow cameras inside the federal courthouse in Miami, Florida, for former President Donald Trump's arraignment on Tuesday.
The late Monday filing by Goodman denied the argument by the media companies that the court appearance by Trump is a "special proceeding" and therefore regular rules on recording would be followed.
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"The 'special proceedings' term referenced in the Local Rule is analogized to a proceeding akin to a naturalization proceeding," Goodman wrote in the filing. "Tomorrow's proceedings are undoubtedly 'special' in that they are genuinely historic and of huge importance, but they are not in any way similar to a naturalization proceeding."
"The motion does not cite any case or legal authority which would support the view that photographs are permitted tomorrow because the first appearance and arraignment are 'special proceedings,' as that term is used in the rule," he added.
Goodman cited rule 77.1 for the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida as a basis not to allow photography, with the rule only allowing exceptions for "special proceedings" or "following a declaration of a local, state, or national emergency."
"All forms of equipment or means of photographing, audio- or video-recording, broadcasting or televising within the environs of any place of holding court in the District, including courtrooms, chambers, adjacent rooms, hallways, doorways, stairways, elevators or offices of supporting personnel, whether the Court is in session or at recess, is prohibited," the rule said.
The media companies included in the "Press Coalition" that filed the motion were CNN, ABC News, the Associated Press, CBS News, the Los Angeles Times, the New York Times, NBC News, and the Washington Post, among other news outlets.
In addition to the motion for the Tuesday hearing, Goodman denied the motion to allow any photography in further court proceedings, arguing that he would "follow the 'stay in your lane' philosophy" and not rule on procedures for later court appearances. Goodman said he would only be handling Tuesday's court appearance in the case and, after that, "it is highly unlikely that I will be asked to remain involved."
Goodman said in the order he "coordinated with the court reporter to provide an expedited transcript" of the hearing he expects will be available on Tuesday.
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Goodman told the media outlets to refile their motion on further court proceedings to Judge Aileen Cannon, who will oversee the case.
Trump is scheduled to appear in court at 3 p.m. on Tuesday after he was indicted by a federal grand jury last week on charges related to his alleged mishandling of classified documents. He is the first former or current president to be federally indicted.