CNN, Politico, and MS NOW have filed a lawsuit against the administration of United States President Donald Trump after being banned from the White House grounds. The outlets announced their legal action in a joint statement on Monday, stating, "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." The complaint was filed later that day in the Washington, DC, federal court.
The White House revoked the press credentials of journalists from these organizations "without notice or process" due to objections to their reporting, according to the statement. They emphasized that allowing such actions to go unchallenged threatens press freedom and the public's right to independent journalism free from government interference.
On Saturday, the three outlets reported that their journalists were turned away from the White House and had their press credentials confiscated. They indicated that they could seek emergency hearings in the case as soon as this week.
In a separate statement, major US broadcasters, including ABC, CBS, CNN, Fox, and NBC, announced the suspension of TV "pool" coverage of Trump, which involves rotating responsibility for filming the president at events. They asserted that the public has a vital interest in receiving accurate, independent information about its government and that no administration should restrict a news organization based on its reporting.
US Vice President JD Vance defended the ban, stating it was not an attack on free speech, as the affected media could still report on Trump and access public reports. He claimed that the outlets represent a disproportionate amount of negative coverage about the administration, suggesting that their reporting does not reflect public opinion.
Trump stated on Friday that he was banning the outlets as punishment for what he termed "fake news." He did not specify the reasons for the ban but later claimed it was not an attack on the free press, which he said he cherishes, but rather a response to what he described as a pervasive threat to national security. He expressed his views on Truth Social, stating, "It is corrupt, purposeful, pervasive, fully coordinated, and totally out of control."
The White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) called for the immediate restoration of access to the three outlets, warning that the exclusion of one news outlet based on its coverage could set a precedent for future actions against any outlet. WHCA president Jacqui Heinrich emphasized the importance of a free and independent press in scrutinizing elected officials, regardless of their favorability.
The Trump administration has previously denied access to several leading news organizations while favoring new media outlets perceived as more sympathetic. Additionally, Trump has initiated lawsuits against major media companies, including The New York Times and CBS. This situation unfolds as Republicans aim to maintain their narrow majorities in Congress ahead of the November midterm elections, amid declining approval ratings for Trump and unfavorable opinion polls for the party.