Former President Donald Trump’s federal arraignment in Miami was historic — yet virtually invisible to the public. In an era when people are accustomed to instantly available images and sounds of important events, Trump's not-guilty plea to charges of hoarding classified documents was a step back in time. Hundreds of photographers and television crews were at the courthouse — many broadcasting live from outside — but they couldn't show the key moments inside the courtroom. Efforts by news organizations to loosen restrictions that generally prohibit cameras in federal courtrooms failed, despite the event’s unprecedented nature. It was a stark contrast from Trump’s arraignment in New York earlier this year. Trump eventually found a way to fill the void after leaving the courthouse — with a stop at a Cuban restaurant, where he could bathe in the cheers of supporters. For further analysis and a deeper perspective of Trump's historic federal arraignment, FRANCE 24's Mark Owen is joined by Frederick T. Davis, Lecturer in Law at Columbia University, retired Partner at Debevoise & Plimpton, based in New York and Paris. He is a former U.S. federal prosecutor and member of the Paris Bar. Part of the global Litigation Group, his practice focuses on criminal, regulatory and civil litigation and investigations involving U.S. and French laws.
