Administration Watch
CNN, MS NOW and Politico sue Trump administration over White House access ban
PN Team • 1 month ago
CNN, MS NOW (formerly MSNBC) and Politico filed an emergency First Amendment lawsuit Monday in the DC District Court seeking to restore White House access after President Trump revoked their reporters' credentials over coverage he called "fake news." Reporters Betsy Klein (CNN), Akayla Gardner (MS NOW) and Cheyenne Haslett (Politico) had their press badges disabled Saturday and were denied entry; CNN also lost its pool coverage slot, meaning no television network traveled with Trump that day, an unprecedented gap.
The lawsuit names Trump, chief of staff Susie Wiles, spokesperson Steven Cheung and Secret Service chief Sean Curran, arguing the ban is unconstitutional viewpoint discrimination lacking due process, citing precedent involving Jim Acosta and the Associated Press. White House Correspondents' Association president Jacqui Heinrich and press-freedom advocates called the move "textbook viewpoint discrimination," warning the precedent could later be used against any outlet. Trump has said he might expand the ban further, and legal experts widely expect courts to strike it down.
Sentiment
- Donald Trump Trump is portrayed unfavorably as revoking press credentials over critical coverage, an action legal experts call unconstitutional and expect courts to strike down.
- Washington, D.C. Washington, D.C. is mentioned only as the location of the federal court where the lawsuit was filed.