United States
CNN, MS NOW AND POLITICO SUE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION OVER WHITE HOUSE ACCESS BAN
CNN, MS NOW and Politico have filed a federal lawsuit against US President Donald Trump and members of his administration after their journalists were...
By Patience
The three news organisations are asking a federal court in Washington, D.C., to intervene and restore access for their reporters, arguing that the administration's decision violated constitutional protections for the press.
The lawsuit was filed on Monday, September 21, after journalists from the three organisations were denied access to the White House.
NEWS ORGANISATIONS SEEK EMERGENCY RELIEF
The organisations are seeking a temporary restraining order that would restore their journalists' access to the White House while the broader legal dispute continues.
In their lawsuit, they argue that the administration's decision violated protections under the First and Fifth Amendments of the US Constitution.
The organisations also argue that the restrictions were imposed in retaliation for their reporting and without adequate due process.
These are claims made in the lawsuit and have not been established by the court.
TRUMP ADMINISTRATION DEFENDS ITS POSITION
The Trump administration has defended its decision to restrict the organisations' access to the White House.
Trump has publicly criticised the news organisations and their coverage, while administration officials have argued that the organisations remain able to report on the White House from outside the building and through other sources.
The administration's position is that restricting physical access does not prevent the organisations from continuing to report on the president and his administration.
REPORTERS TURNED AWAY FROM WHITE HOUSE
Journalists from CNN, MS NOW and Politico were turned away from the White House after their access credentials were deactivated.
The organisations have challenged the decision in court, arguing that the restrictions have interfered with their ability to cover the president and his administration directly from the White House.
The lawsuit seeks immediate court intervention while the wider case proceeds.
FEDERAL JUDGE SETS HEARING
The case has been assigned to US District Judge Timothy Kelly in Washington, D.C.
Kelly previously handled a 2018 dispute involving the White House's decision to revoke the press credentials of CNN correspondent Jim Acosta. The judge ordered Acosta's credentials restored after finding that the White House had not provided adequate due process.
The current case involves different circumstances, and the court will consider the arguments surrounding the latest restrictions.
A hearing on the organisations' request for temporary relief has been scheduled for Wednesday.
WHITE HOUSE PRESS ACCESS FACES NEW LEGAL TEST
The lawsuit adds to ongoing disputes between the Trump administration and news organisations over press access and coverage of the president.
The court's decision on the request for emergency relief could determine whether the three organisations regain access to the White House while the broader legal challenge continues.
No final ruling had been issued on the lawsuit at the time of publication.