John,

Now that Donald Trump has been indicted by Special Counsel Jack Smith on charges for his attempted coup, the court is getting ready to set the trial dates. However, a federal rule prohibits television cameras in the courtroom.

This is a problem for democracy. Will we the people get to see the evidence directly? Will we be able to see and hear the arguments with our own eyes and ears?

The truth is the only way to accomplish this -- and the best defense against Trump disinformation -- is to televise the trial for everyone to see. This trial is so important, it must be treated as an exception to the rule.

The United States of America v. Donald J. Trump is completely unprecedented with unparalleled significance for the future of democracy. The American public must see it from beginning to end with their own eyes. Click here to sign the petition today supporting the House Democrats’ request to televise these proceedings now.

Now that Trump is facing trial for preventing a peaceful transition of power, including the events of January 6,it is crucial that the trial not be shrouded in secrecy.

It’s not hard to understand why. After all, if you only heard certain media reports, you’d think the January 6 insurrection was just an orderly group of tourists checking out the sights in Washington, D.C.

But thanks to live television on the day and the live coverage of the House Select Committee hearings, many of the facts are available. This trial will add more, fill in the holes we didn’t see before, and carry the weight of the full force of criminal proceedings, including the possibility of jail time for witnesses that don’t show up or try to lie.

Here’s the thing: Every single American is a victim of this attempted coup and all of us should have a chance to see the trial that will attempt to hold the leader of that coup accountable. Regardless of political party, the American people need and deserve to see the judicial process and the facts laid out for conviction with their own eyes.

Without it, the massive disinformation campaign by influential propaganda media outlets will severely misrepresent the actual content of the trial and keep the real truth from being heard by too many.

The American people need to see the trial firsthand and the best way to accomplish this will be to put the trial on national television. Public transparency is our best defense against corruption and disinformation. Sign the petition today!

Thank you for your efforts to bring this trial directly to the American people!

- Amanda

Amanda Ford, Director
Democracy for America
Advocacy Fund