Major media outlets request judge allow cameras during 'unprecedented and historic' Trump arraignment

• Media outlets asked Judge Juan Merchan to allow cameras inside the court during Trump's arraignment.
• The New York Times, the Associated Press, CNN, and NBC News were among those making the request

A coalition of major media organizations called for cameras to be allowed in the courtroom during former president Donald Trump's arraignment in New York City this week.

"The gravity of this proceeding — unprecedented and historic arraignment of a former U.S. president — and, consequently the need for the broadest possible public access, cannot be overstated," the group said in a petition, according to NBC News.

The group includes NBC News, the New York Times, the Associated Press, CNN, The Washington Post, and others.

A grand jury voted to indict Trump last week after an investigation by the Manhattan district attorney's office into hush-money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 presidential election.

The media organization's sent their request to Judge Juan Merchan, who will be presiding over Trump's criminal case. The group also asked Merchan in a separate petition to unseal the indictment "without delay," citing "overwhelming public interest."

"Indeed, any delay only allows speculation about the content of the indictment to proliferate," a law firm representing the outlets stated, according to NBC News.

The indictment makes Trump the first former US president to be charged with a crime. He is expected to be arraigned at the Manhattan court on Tuesday. Trump has called the investigation and indictment "an act of blatant Election Interference."

During an appearance on CNN's "State of the Union," speaking with host Dana Bash, Joe Tacopina, an attorney for Trump, argued that his client is being "politically persecuted."

"Make no mistake about that, Dana," Tacopina said. "He is lashing out because he's the victim."