CNN, MS NOW, and Politico have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration after President Donald Trump banned journalists from the three outlets from entering the White House grounds. The news organizations argue that the ban is unconstitutional and represents a direct assault on the First Amendment, violating fundamental constitutional principles. In a joint statement, the outlets stated that the action threatens press freedom and the public's right to independent journalism free from government interference.
President Trump announced the ban on Friday, citing what he called fake news and cumulative stories as the reason for the decision. He stated that such reporting poses a threat to national security. Reporters from the three organizations were blocked from the White House grounds starting Saturday. This move is seen as an escalation of the administration's long-running efforts to restrict news coverage by journalists the president finds objectionable.
The ban has already affected news operations, with CNN being removed from its duties for the rotating pool of TV journalists covering the White House on Monday. Consequently, there will be no replacement to cover the president's trip to New York for the UN General Assembly. Major US networks subsequently suspended White House TV coverage of the president as he heads to the UN summit.