The Trump administration is defending its decision to bar journalists from CNN, Politico and MS NOW from the White House, arguing in court that access to the presidential complex is a privilege rather than a legal right.
The three news organisations have challenged the restrictions in federal court, saying the move violates protections for freedom of the press under the First Amendment. They are seeking a temporary restraining order to restore their access.
The dispute began after President Donald Trump announced that the three outlets would be excluded from the White House. Trump has criticised their reporting and accused them of publishing what he describes as “fake news” and information that he says poses a national security concern.
In a court filing, the US Department of Justice argued that the president has authority to control reporters’ access to restricted areas of the White House, including locations such as the Oval Office. The administration has also cited concerns over the publication of sensitive or classified information.
The DOJ said the outlets had been given letters explaining the reasons for the restrictions and would have an opportunity to challenge the decision. The administration has maintained that the affected organisations can continue reporting from outside the White House.
The news organisations, however, have argued that the restrictions amount to government retaliation for their reporting. Their lawsuit says their press credentials were revoked without adequate notice or process and that the action raises First Amendment concerns.
The legal dispute comes as courts consider the limits of presidential control over media access. A previous dispute involving the Associated Press established a distinction between restricted presidential spaces and areas generally open to the White House press corps.
The three outlets continued covering Trump during his visit to the United Nations General Assembly because they had UN-issued media credentials. Trump questioned CNN journalists’ presence there despite the White House restriction applying to access to the presidential complex.
A federal court hearing on the media organisations’ request for temporary relief is scheduled in Washington. The case could clarify how far a US president can go in controlling access to the White House while complying with constitutional protections for the press.
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