A JUDGE presiding over former United States (US) President Donald Trump’s arraignment in a Manhattan courthouse Tuesday afternoon refused requests from several media outlets to allow cameras to cover live courtroom proceedings, according to court documents.

New York Supreme Court Judge Juan Merchan said the court would allow a “limited number” of videographers, photographers, and radio journalists to be present but denied the motion to allow photos or live video during the court session.

In his ruling, Judge Merchan said he considered “all relevant factors” — which included whether the camera coverage would “interfere with the fair administration of justice… with law enforcement activity, the objections of the Defendant; and limitations related to the physical structure of the courtroom” — but ultimately denied the motion.

He ruled integrity of the court’s impartiality outweighed the “monumental significance” of the case and the “unparalleled public interest” it has generated.

Meanwhile, former US President Donald Trump has been consulting lawyers at Trump Tower in New York City as he prepares to face history-making criminal charges.

He is under investigation over hush money paid just before the 2016 election to a porn star who says they had sex but denies any wrongdoing.

Trump, 76, is the first ex-US President to face a criminal case and his Republican party has called it a “witch hunt”.

Once Trump is fingerprinted and processed by officials, he is considered under arrest and in custody. He will then be arraigned in court – meaning the charges will be read out and he will plead.

The full charges he faces will be disclosed in full at the hearing, which is scheduled for about 14:15 local time (07:15pm Nigerian time). His lawyers have already said he will plead not guilty.

Extra security measures are in place with the authorities expecting protests outside the Manhattan court on Tuesday, April 4.