CNN, MS NOW, Politico take Trump to court over White House ban

CNN, MSNBC and Politico have collectively filed a lawsuit against the administration of US President Donald Trump, challenging the revocation of their White House press access. The three news organizations declared on Monday that they seek the reinstatement of their journalists' access to the White House and the safeguarding of their rights under the First Amendment. According to Reuters, the legal proceedings were filed in the US District Court for the District of Columbia.

The lawsuit emerged following President Trump's Friday announcement, which barred these three outlets from the White House due to their coverage of what he described as "FICTION and LIES" about him, his administration, and the United States. As a result, journalists from CNN, MSNBC, and Politico were denied entry to the White House on Saturday, and their press credentials were seized.

On Monday, the three organizations issued a joint statement, notifying the government of their decision to sue, arguing that the administration has no authority to dictate what journalists report or publish.

The organizations emphasized that the White House had revoked their journalists' credentials without prior notice or due process, stemming from objections to their reporting. "Left unchallenged, this threatens press freedom and the public's right to independent journalism free from government interference," they stated. The lawsuit marks a development two days after reporters from the three outlets were barred from entering the White House grounds.

Reuters reported that the journalists' press passes were confiscated as the administration implemented Trump's ban. The media organizations are requesting the court to restore their access as they contest the administration's decision; emergency proceedings might occur as early as this week.