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

CNN, MS NOW and Politico have sued U.S. President Donald Trump and his administration over a decision to ban their journalists from the White House, arguing that the move violates constitutional protections for freedom of the press and free speech.

The three news organizations filed the lawsuit on Monday, September 21, in federal court in Washington, D.C. They are seeking a temporary restraining order to block the ban. A hearing on their request is scheduled for Wednesday.

In their lawsuit, the media organizations argued that the ban represents a direct attack on press freedom. They said the government cannot determine what news organizations report or publish based on their coverage or viewpoint.

The lawsuit also alleges that the journalists’ White House credentials were revoked without prior notice or an opportunity to challenge the decision, raising additional due-process concerns under the Fifth Amendment.

Trump announced the ban last Friday in a social media post, accusing CNN, MS NOW and Politico of repeatedly publishing what he described as “fiction and lies” in their coverage of the president.

In another post on Monday, Trump defended the decision, saying the White House was not attacking the free press but was taking action against what he called “fake news.” He also described the outlets as a threat to national security, but provided no evidence to support that claim.

Reuters reported that conflicts between U.S. presidents and the news media are not new. However, Trump has taken a series of steps to restrict access for news organizations whose coverage he has criticized, while also making personal attacks against journalists and providing greater access to outlets viewed as more sympathetic to his administration.

The dispute has also disrupted the White House television press pool. CNN is one of the major networks responsible for providing pooled video coverage of the president’s public appearances. After CNN was unable to provide its scheduled coverage, other major television networks suspended participation in the presidential pool on Monday.

Meanwhile, the White House launched a streaming operation called “Trump TV” on Monday, just days after the three news organizations were barred from the White House. The administration said the platform would feature videos and highlights of what it considers the achievements of the Trump administration.

Jameel Jaffer, executive director of Columbia University’s Knight First Amendment Institute, criticized the initiative, saying it made the administration’s intention to provide the American public with a steady stream of government messaging more apparent.

The lawsuit is now before the federal court, with the Wednesday hearing expected to be the next major step in the legal dispute over the White House’s restrictions on the three news organizations.