DOJ is investigating news organizations for antitrust violations after the White House TV pool halted coverage when Trump banned several outlets

The U.S. Department of Justice is probing the White House television press pool's suspension of coverage of President Donald Trump last month, according to an agency spokesperson. The Antitrust Division is examining whether the pool's actions may have violated antitrust laws, which aim to prevent businesses from colluding and limiting competition.

The pool, comprised of five broadcasters, halted reporting on the president after the administration barred CNN, MSNBC, and Politico from the White House. The White House press pool, a rotating group of news organizations, plays a crucial role in covering the president and serves as a symbol for the broader debate over whether the president can dictate the content of news reports.

Three news organizations—CNN, MSNBC, and Politico—sued over the ban, which was later lifted by a judge. The DOJ's investigation has sparked criticism from Jose Zamora, the Americas regional director of the Committee to Protect Journalists, who argued that the government should not use antitrust investigations to intimidate news outlets defending press access.