WASHINGTON, D.C.: CNN, MS NOW and Politico filed a federal court challenge Monday against the Trump White House ban that revoked their journalists’ access to the presidential complex.
The three outlets said the White House withdrew their credentials without notice or a formal process because of objections to their reporting. Their complaint alleges violations of First Amendment press protections and Fifth Amendment due-process rights.
The organisations are seeking a temporary restraining order to restore access while the case proceeds in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Emergency proceedings could take place this week.
Reporters from CNN, MS NOW formerly MSNBC and Politico were denied entry to the White House on Saturday, September 19, after Trump announced the ban a day earlier. Their press credentials were disabled or confiscated, according to the outlets and independent reporting.
Trump said he imposed the restrictions because he considered the organizations’ coverage “fake news.” During remarks at the White House on September 18, he said he supported a free press but argued that news organizations should provide what he described as fair and honest coverage.
The White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) has condemned the exclusions. WHCA President Jacqui Heinrich said revoking journalists’ access because of their reporting violated the First Amendment and called for the credentials to be restored.
Read: Trump White House Media Ban Targets CNN, MS NOW, Politico
Trump had also indicated that additional news organisations could face similar restrictions. No court ruling on the three outlets’ request for restored access had been announced at the time of publication
