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," HLN reported.
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," the newspaper reported.
The protester was taken 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 group claims it is demonstrating against the campaign finance case of Shaun McCutcheon v. Federal Election Commission.
The Washington Post summarizes the case:
"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.
"I certainly never expected anyone to be able to smuggle a camera in there," said CNN legal contributor Jeffrey Toobin.
Toobin explained all spectators and 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.
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