CNN, MS NOW, and Politico have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration over the decision to revoke their journalists' access to the White House. The three organizations announced the legal action on Monday, accusing the White House of revoking their press credentials without notice or due process because of their reporting. The lawsuit centers on whether Trump can punish news organizations through control of White House access.
The ban has already disrupted presidential coverage, with reporters from the three organizations denied entry to the White House grounds and CNN removed from Monday's television pool assignment for Trump's trip to New York. The organizations are expected to argue that the administration's stated objection to their coverage amounts to unconstitutional viewpoint discrimination. Trump's decision to bar the outlets was made in response to what he described as negative coverage.
The lawsuit follows Trump's announcement on Friday that the three outlets would be barred from the White House. He also suggested that other news organizations could face similar restrictions. Trump has defended the decision by complaining about what he described as negative coverage. The White House restrictions have already affected the organizations' ability to cover the administration.
Reporters from the three organizations, including MS NOW reporter Akayla Gardner, CNN reporter Betsy Klein, and Politico reporter Cheyenne Haslett, were denied entry to the White House grounds on Saturday after their press credentials were deactivated. CNN and MS NOW were also blocked from using television equipment and designated camera positions, while reporters from the three organizations lost access to workspaces inside the complex.
The three news organizations have vowed to continue covering the administration despite the restrictions. The lawsuit is based on the First Amendment principle against government discrimination based on the viewpoint or content of protected speech. The organizations are expected to rely on a 1977 federal appeals court ruling involving The Nation reporter Robert Sherrill.
The 1977 ruling held that White House press access could not be denied on the basis of a journalist's speech or in a manner that discriminated against protected expression. Trump's previous administration also faced court battles over press access, including the 2018 dispute involving former CNN correspondent Jim Acosta. First Amendment lawyer Ted Boutrous, who represented CNN in that case, is representing CNN, MS NOW, and Politico in the latest lawsuit.
The lawsuit is a significant development in the escalating confrontation between Trump and major American news organizations. The outcome of the case could have implications for the relationship between the White House and the press corps. The three organizations have notified the government that they are filing a lawsuit to protect their First Amendment rights and defend the principle that the government does not decide what the press reports or publishes.
Key points
- The lawsuit centers on whether Trump can punish news organizations through control of White House access.
- The ban has already disrupted presidential coverage, with reporters from the three organizations denied entry to the White House grounds.
- The lawsuit is based on the First Amendment principle against government discrimination based on the viewpoint or content of protected speech.
