Journalists denied White House access after Trump banned some media outlets

The White House has barred journalists from major outlets Politico, CNN, and MS NOW from entering following President Donald Trump's ban on these media organizations. On Friday, Trump accused the three outlets of publishing "fiction or lies" about his administration. He did not specify any particular stories or reporting that led to the ban, but he hinted that more outlets may face the same restriction in the future.

MS NOW reporter Akayla Gardner and her colleague encountered difficulties at the White House entrance on Saturday, with their badges being confiscated after the officer stated they were disabled. CNN reporter Betsy Klein also reported that her badge had been deactivated. Politico confirmed that its reporter Cheyenne Haslett was denied entry, and her pass was revoked by the Secret Service.

All three news organizations have criticized Trump's decision, claiming it violates their constitutional right to free speech and freedom of the press. MS NOW stated that the White House "belongs to the American people" and that the decisions made inside are funded by taxpayers. Politico Editor-in-Chief Jonathan Greenberger vowed to defend the First Amendment rights of its reporters, while CNN declared that the ban is an "illegal assault on this fundamental right."

The White House Correspondents Association called on the administration to restore access to the journalists, arguing that using such a standard could be applied to any outlet in the future. The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, a group providing legal services to the media, anticipates that Trump's ban will be overturned by the courts as it is "flatly unconstitutional."

This move by the administration adds to a series of actions targeting media outlets Trump deems critical of him, including legal actions against The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and the BBC.