CNN, MS NOW, and Politico are suing the Trump administration after their reporters were barred from the White House grounds, alleging a violation of First Amendment rights and a threat to press freedom due to the administration's objections to their reporting.
CNN, MS NOW, and Politico have announced a First Amendment lawsuit against the Trump administration following the barring of their reporters from White House grounds over the weekend. The outlets stated they are suing to protect their First Amendment rights and the principle that the government should not dictate press reporting, asserting that their journalists' credentials were revoked without notice because the White House 'objected to our reporting.' President Trump announced the ban, effective immediately, citing 'Fake News' and 'cumulative stories over the last two years,' adding he was 'sick of it.' The Wall Street Journal reported the decision followed an aide showing Trump a montage of MS NOW critiques. The ban resulted in Akayla Gardner (MS NOW), Betsy Klein (CNN), and Cheyenne Haslett (Politico) being denied entry and having their press passes confiscated, preventing access to their workspaces, equipment, and broadcast positions. CNN was also removed from television pool duty for Trump's trip to New York. The White House Correspondents’ Association President, Jacqui Heinrich, condemned the move, emphasizing press freedom and the public's right to independent journalism. This action marks Trump's most aggressive move against the press in his second term, following a similar, ongoing legal dispute with the Associated Press last year regarding pooled access.
