Lawyers defending Donald Trump in fraud lawsuits over the now-defunct Trump University are reportedly battling to keep videos of his testimony under wraps – arguing he should be shown the same deference as a sitting president.
In a court filing late Wednesday, the lawyers argue the videos could be misused in the current presidential race,
Politico reports.
"Undoubtedly, these videos ... will be used by the media and others in connection with the presidential campaign," Trump's lawyers wrote in their motion filed with US District Court Judge Gonzalo Curiel in San Diego, and then quoted cases from previous trials. "'They can be cut and spliced and used as 'sound bites' on the evening news or sports shows.'"
They added Trump's position is similar to those of sitting presidents who've provided video testimony while in office.
"The need to prevent such 'sensationalism' is particularly acute here because of Mr. Trump’s unique circumstances in running for President of the United States," Trump attorneys Daniel Petrocelli and David Kirman argue, Politico reports.
"These same cautions and concerns apply with full force here to a presidential candidate whose every move is being covered by the media. Mr. Trump may be a sitting President by the time [one of the Trump University's suits] goes to trial, in which case these principles apply with even greater force."
Trump's new legal motion seeks to expand a protective order in the lawsuits by prohibiting any public release of the videos and by requiring that any portions filed with the court be placed under seal, Politico reports.
Curiel has set a trial in one of the cases for Nov. 28.
Media organizations have already urged "confidential" designations be dropped from portions of the
transcripts of depositions Trump gave in New York in December and in Las Vegas in January.
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