Yikes! Someone sneaked a camera into the Supreme Court. And in case you're wondering, no, that's not allowed.
"For probably the first time ever, we're seeing video from inside a Supreme Court hearing. ... It shows a protester briefly interrupting oral arguments." (Via HLN)
The Wall Street Journal even went as far as to call it "an unprecedented security breach."
"What's remarkable about this footage, which appears to have been taken Wednesday, is that it exists. ... SCOTUS doesn't just bar cameras, it makes courtroom visitors surrender all electronics before entering the gallery."
And as we see on the YouTube video, the protester get toted away. It also appears the sneaky camera person filmed not once, but twice. The Wall Street Journal also points out a different part of the video appears to be from a case last October.
A group called 99Rise has taken credit for the uproar on its website. The headline claims its activists disrupted the SCOTUS proceedings before the McCutcheon decision.
The Washington Post explains the Shaun McCutcheon v. Federal Election Commission case is all about campaign finances.
"McCutcheon is a conservative businessman ... who likes to give money to political candidates and committees. ... He says he would have given more, if not for the law that says an individual can only donate a certain total. ... McCutcheon thinks the law is a violation of the First Amendment."
This is believed to be the first-ever recording of the Supreme Court in session.
JEFFREY TOOBIN: "I certainly never expected anyone to be able to smuggle a camera in there."
REPORTER: "Author and legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin explains SCOTUS security isn't exactly lax."
TOOBIN: "I am baffled." (Via WBBH)
Toobin explained even reporters are asked to go through metal detectors and other security measures before being let in. A spokesperson for the court said officials are reviewing the video and screening procedures.
