US networks including Fox News halt Trump pool coverage over White House ban

Five major American news outlets, including Fox News, have decided not to cover US President Donald Trump following CNN, Politico, and MSNBC being denied access by the White House. The three national news organizations have also informed Trump's administration that they will be filing a lawsuit, claiming that their First Amendment rights have been violated.

The administration had restricted journalists' access to the White House on Friday, and the White House continued the restriction over the weekend. This action is believed to be part of President Trump's efforts in court and through administrative actions to block unfavorable news coverage by journalists and outlets he opposes. The three news outlets have filed an urgent request for court intervention, setting the date for the hearing in the DC District Court.

They are expected to present arguments this week. The lawsuit contends that the administration's ban on the outlets violates the First Amendment and the Constitution's due process protections. The White House has stated that the ban is a direct assault on the First Amendment and a blatant violation of fundamental constitutional principles.

The ban was announced by the administration after Trump claimed he was barring the outlets due to their reporting being "fake news." The Trump administration had previously restricted the entry of journalists from CNN, MSNBC, and Politico on the weekend. Trump's decision to suspend the TV pool's coverage of his events was communicated on Saturday.

The ban affects the US networks' responsibility of providing television coverage of presidential events, which in this case, was scheduled to be provided by CNN for Trump's visit to the United Nations General Assembly on Monday.