Trump cites national security, midterms coverage to defend press ban
The president’s lawyers are asking the courts to overrule a longstanding precedent that protects journalists' access to the White House.
President Donald Trump is seeking federal court approval to selectively grant or deny access to certain media outlets, including POLITICO, CNN, and MSNOW, citing their publication of sensitive information. The Justice Department defended the decision, arguing that the outlets have failed to maintain professional journalistic standards by publishing classified and national security information.
The legal move aims to overturn a longstanding precedent, Sherrill v. Knight, which protects journalists' right to equal access to the White House press area. The Justice Department is requesting courts to expand a more recent D.C. Circuit ruling, which allows the president to selectively limit access to the most sensitive areas of the White House complex.
Three news organizations have sued the administration, arguing that the revocation of their reporters' credentials violates the First Amendment and are seeking a temporary restraining order to restore their access. U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly, a Trump appointee, is set to hear the case on Wednesday.
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