CNN, MS NOW, Politico Sue Trump Administration Over White House Ban

CNN, MS NOW and Politico have sued President Donald Trump’s administration after their journalists were barred from the White House, accusing the government of violating their First Amendment rights.

The three news organisations filed the lawsuit in federal court in Washington, D.C., on Monday, September 21, after their reporters were denied entry to the White House and had their press credentials disabled over the weekend. They are seeking a temporary restraining order that would restore their access while the case proceeds.

In their complaint, the organisations argued that the administration had revoked their journalists’ credentials because of objections to their reporting.

They described the action as a “blatant violation” of the First Amendment and said the government should not be allowed to determine which news organisations can report from the White House based on their coverage or editorial viewpoints.

The dispute began on Friday, when Trump announced that CNN, MS NOW and Politico would be barred from the White House. He accused the organisations of publishing what he described as “fiction and lies” about his administration and the United States.

Trump later said the White House was not restricting the free press but was targeting what he called “fake news.” He also suggested that other media organisations could face similar restrictions.

The organisations said their reporters were subsequently turned away from the White House on Saturday. CNN reporter Betsy Klein, MS NOW reporter Akayla Gardner and Politico reporter Cheyenne Haslett were among those whose access was revoked or denied.

The lawsuit argues that the government cannot selectively exclude journalists from press facilities that have been opened to the media simply because officials object to their reporting.

The legal battle also raises questions about the limits of presidential authority over White House press access. Previous disputes during Trump’s first administration and second term have involved CNN and the Associated Press, with courts considering the circumstances under which government officials can restrict journalists’ access.

The White House Correspondents’ Association has called for the three outlets to have their access restored, warning that a standard used against one news organisation could potentially be applied to others.

Other major television networks have also reacted to the dispute. Reuters reported that ABC, CBS, Fox News and NBC suspended participation in the White House television pool in solidarity with the banned organisations, disrupting the normal system through which White House video is shared among broadcasters.

The White House had not immediately provided a separate detailed response to the lawsuit in the reports available Monday.
The case is now before the federal court, where the three organisations are seeking immediate relief to regain access to the White House while their broader constitutional challenge continues.