CNN, Politico, MS NOW to sue Trump administration over White House ban

Three prominent US news organizations, MS NOW, CNN, and Politico, have filed a lawsuit against the Trump Administration to safeguard their First Amendment rights following President Donald Trump's announcement to bar them from the White House's grounds. The news agencies had previously informed the government about their intention to sue the administration.

In a joint statement, they expressed concern that the White House's revocation of journalists' credentials without prior notice or due process could undermine press freedom and the public's right to independent journalism free from government interference. Their lawsuit aims to protect their First Amendment rights and defend the principle that the government does not determine what the press reports or publishes.

President Trump defended the ban in a subsequent social media post, labeling the news media a security threat without presenting any evidence. He claimed that the White House is not launching an assault on the Free Press, something he cherishes, but rather an assault on FAKE NEWS. He characterized the media as corrupt, purposeful, pervasive, fully coordinated, and totally out of control. He further stated that the media poses a threat to national security and must be stopped immediately.

The White House has maintained a shift in the relationship between the presidential residence and the press, denying access to many major news organizations while promoting new media outlets perceived as more supportive of the administration. The administration has also initiated several lawsuits against news organizations. Trump's latest action follows as his Republican allies strive to defend their slim congressional majorities in the November midterm elections.

Polls indicate a growing public dissatisfaction with Republicans and the president's approval ratings are near historical lows.

On Saturday, all three news organizations reported that their journalists were denied entry to the White House grounds and their press credentials were seized, just a day after Trump initially announced his ban on social media and threatened to block additional outlets. He later addressed his "ban on the free press" with reporters at an Oval Office event, asserting that there was no specific incident that triggered the move.

When asked about other news organizations that could be targeted, Trump mentioned The New York Times and The Washington Post as "fake news" but stated they had not been removed yet. The Associated Press, the White House Correspondents’ Association, and others have criticized Trump's ban, emphasizing the fundamental American right to free speech and demanding an immediate restoration of access.

The Associated Press filed its own lawsuit after being barred alongside Reuters last year from the group of reporters covering the president's daily activities.