CNN, MS NOW and Politico Sue Trump Administration Over White House Ban

CNN, MS NOW and Politico have sued the administration of President Donald Trump over the White House's decision to bar their journalists from the presidential complex.

The three news organisations filed the lawsuit in federal court in Washington on Monday, September 21, arguing that the administration's action violated their constitutional rights to freedom of the press and due process.

The legal action followed Trump's announcement on September 18 that he was banning the three outlets from the White House. In a post on Truth Social, Trump accused them of repeatedly reporting what he described as “FICTION and LIES” about his administration and threatened similar action against other media organisations.

Journalists from CNN, MS NOW and Politico were subsequently denied access to the White House grounds on September 19, and their press credentials were revoked.

In a joint statement announcing the lawsuit, the organisations said the White House had revoked their journalists' credentials without notice or due process because of disagreements with their reporting.

The outlets are asking the court to restore their access and are seeking a temporary restraining order. Their complaint alleges violations of the First Amendment's protection of freedom of the press and the Fifth Amendment's due-process protections.

The Trump administration has rejected the outlets' position. The White House said on social media that access to the White House is a privilege rather than a right, while Trump has continued to describe the organisations as “fake news.”

The dispute has also disrupted the White House television press pool. CNN is one of five major television networks that normally rotate responsibility for providing pooled coverage of the president. Following the exclusion of CNN, the other networks suspended coverage of presidential events in protest.

The impact was particularly visible during Trump's trip to New York for the United Nations General Assembly. CNN, MS NOW and Politico were unable to participate in the White House press pool, although the organisations continued covering the president using other available credentials and reporting arrangements.

The lawsuit represents the latest escalation in the Trump administration's dispute with several news organisations over press access and coverage of the president.

A federal judge is scheduled to consider the outlets' request for emergency relief as the legal battle over White House access continues.