CNN, MS NOW and Politico sued the Trump administration on Monday after the White House barred their journalists from its grounds.
President Donald Trump announced the ban Friday in a post on Truth Social, saying the three outlets would be barred from the White House “effective immediately. “Media Outlets shouldn’t be able to constantly write or report FICTION and LIES when they’re covering the President of the United States, the Trump Administration, or the United States of America. Other Fake News Media Outlets to follow,” he wrote.
When a reporter pointed to the president’s constitutional oath and the First Amendment’s protection of free speech, Trump said he was tired of seeing what he considers “fake news.”
“We have a right under the US constitution to do that reporting without hindrance or interference from the government. “The public has a vital interest in receiving accurate, independent information about its government. The case could lead to hearings and arguments over the White House’s decision as early as this week. Trump also indicated that other news organisations could face similar restrictions.
Because it objects to its reporting,” the statement said, no administration should restrict a news organization.
Should the ban which President Trump threatened go ahead, it would be an illegal assault on that fundamental and constitutionally protected right,” a CNN spokesperson said. “This morning, we notified the government that we are filing a lawsuit today to protect our First Amendment rights and defend the principle that the government does not decide what the press reports or publishes,” the outlets said in a joint statement on Monday.
Earlier reporting noted: CNN, MS NOW and Politico are suing the Trump administration after journalists are barred from White House, arguing that the move violates their First Amendment rights. Earlier reporting noted: The three news organisations notified the administration on Monday that they were taking legal action and asked a federal court in Washington to restore their access. Earlier reporting noted: The lawsuit follows President Donald Trump’s announcement on Friday that the three outlets would be barred from the White House over coverage he described as negative.
JD Vance defends ban
Vice President JD Vance defended the administration’s decision Monday, arguing that the affected outlets could still report on Trump and speak with administration officials even without special access to the White House. “That’s not representative of the American people. It’s not representative of public opinion. So if you’re going to engage in what is effectively far left propaganda. Why would a Republican White House give you special access?”
“We have to remember those three outlets account about 92 percent of the stories that they have on the President of the United States on the administration are negative,” he said.
