White House defends Trump ban on CNN, MS NOW and Politico before hearing
The White House says President Donald Trump's ban on CNN, MS NOW and Politico does not violate free speech protections.
In a court filing on Tuesday 22 September, administration lawyers argued that access to the White House is a privilege, not a right. The filing described the exclusion as a preliminary step that the organisations can contest until Friday, according to Variety.
The filing accused the three outlets of breaching standards of conduct. It alleged they trafficked in verifiable falsehoods about national security and other issues, and published sensitive or classified information.
Trump announced the ban on Friday 18 September on Truth Social. He said the outlets were expelled for constant reporting of fake news.
The order barred their journalists from White House grounds. The outlets said their teams had press passes confiscated, as reported by Reuters.
A separate White House statement on 21 September set out the same argument in public. Titled "White House Access Is a Privilege — Not a Right", the release said the First Amendment protects the right to publish. It said it does not entitle journalists to a hard pass, meaning a long-term White House credential, a briefing room seat or a place in the press pool, according to the White House.
CNN, MS NOW and Politico said on Monday 21 September they would sue. They allege the ban violates First Amendment protections for a free press and due process protections in the Constitution, as reported by CNN.
Their legal challenge was filed on Monday. It names Trump and top administration officials as defendants over the exclusion of their reporters.
A judge will decide the next step. An emergency hearing on the outlets' request for a temporary court order, meaning a short-term ruling to reverse the ban while the case continues, is listed for Wednesday 23 September.
U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Kelly will preside. He was appointed by Trump in 2017. In 2018, he ordered the restoration of CNN reporter Jim Acosta's credentials after Trump expelled him, finding Trump had not given sufficient notice.
Other broadcasters have stepped back in support. ABC News, CBS News, NBC News and Fox News suspended White House pool coverage in solidarity with the three banned outlets.
The pool is a small rotating group of journalists who share reporting from tight spaces. A suspension means less shared material from inside the building.
Trump has indicated he will ban other outlets in addition to CNN, MS NOW and Politico.
For viewers, this means fewer cameras inside for now. The hearing will determine whether the three teams return.
