To televise every other moment of this story, as news networks have inevitably done, without allowing video in the courtroom, is kind of like inviting Americans to a circus of major national importance and then forcing them to glean what’s going on in the tent from the carnival barkers, popcorn vendors, and snake-oil salesmen roaming the grounds. As TIME’s Eric Cortellessa and Brian Bennett noted on Monday: “once the Manhattan District Attorney filed charges against, he began to choreograph the spectacle that would follow.” By the time the arraignment commenced on Tuesday, that performance had already encompassed fans cheering on Trump’s motorcade from Mar-a-Lago, his departure from Palm Beach International Airport, and his arrival at Trump Tower in Manhattan-all arguably trivial, and all captured on camera for mass consumption regardless. To address the flimsiest argument against allowing video cameras in this particular courtroom first: the circus came to town long before Merchan issued his ruling. Yet the decision not only plays into the hands of Trump’s team, but also strikes a blow against democracy in a country where conspiracy thinking and distrust of the news media are surging. Precedent aside, legitimate concerns, such as security and the potential for news coverage to prejudice the proceedings, have been raised.

Cameras are generally not permitted in New York courtrooms. “Unfortunately, although genuine and undoubtedly important, the interests of the News Organizations must be weighed against competing interests,” Merchan wrote.

In a ruling released Monday night, Merchan banned all photography (as well as all electronic devices) from the courtroom, with the exception that five press-pool photographers would be allowed to take still shots at the beginning of the arraignment.

Trump tower camera