The White House on Saturday denied access to journalists from CNN, MS NOW, and Politico, following President Donald Trump’s announcement that he would ban them from the White House grounds. All three outlets reported that their teams’ press passes were confiscated when their journalists arrived at the White House on Saturday morning. CNN, MS NOW, and Politico have signaled they may contest the ban on the grounds that it conflicts with the U.S. Constitution’s First Amendment protections for free speech and a free press.
CNN issued a statement calling the ban an ‘illegal assault’ on its constitutional right to conduct journalism without government interference. MS NOW and Politico separately stated they would ‘defend their First Amendment rights’ and continue reporting on the Trump administration. Trump, in a post on Truth Social, accused the outlets of ‘constant reporting FAKE NEWS’ and warned that ‘other outlets’ could face similar action. He did not specify which outlets he was referring to.
Reactions from Lawmakers and Former Officials
Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY) stated on NBC’s Meet the Press that Trump’s decision does not violate the Constitution, arguing that the press has an obligation to report fairly. Barrasso also compared Trump’s ban to his prior suspensions from social media platforms, saying, ‘It goes both ways.’ He added that he does not believe the ban will negatively impact Republican candidates in the upcoming midterm elections, stating that voters will make decisions based on personal circumstances rather than media access.
Former President Barack Obama criticized Trump’s decision during an appearance at Colgate University, calling it ‘unimaginable’ and suggesting that such an action would have been met with widespread backlash if he had attempted it. Obama emphasized that 30 to 35 percent of the country currently accepts such actions, which he argued undermines democratic norms. The White House declined to comment beyond Trump’s remarks on the subject.
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) told ABC News’s This Week that he was ‘as in the dark as everyone else’ regarding the rationale behind the ban, declining to provide further insight.
Legal and Political Implications
The ban has drawn legal scrutiny, with CNN and MS NOW asserting that the action violates their First Amendment rights. MS NOW stated it intends to ‘take any and all steps necessary to defend [its] First Amendment rights and the essential role of independent journalism in our democracy.’ Politico similarly affirmed its commitment to covering the White House despite the restrictions.
Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz defended Trump’s decision on CNN’s State of the Union, arguing that the president is ‘absolutely within his rights’ to limit access to government facilities when outlets are not acting in ‘good faith.’ Waltz cited legal precedent, including the Supreme Court case Zemel v. Rusk, to support his claim that there is no inherent right to access government property. He also criticized media outlets for using anonymous sources and alleged bias in reporting.
MS NOW host Rachel Maddow characterized the ban as a ‘pitiful attempt by a weak president to change the subject,’ arguing that Trump does not believe in the First Amendment and is attempting to exert control over press access. She predicted that legal challenges would succeed in overturning the ban.
Timeline of Events
- Friday: Trump announced on Truth Social that he was banning CNN, MS NOW, and Politico from the White House, accusing them of ‘constant reporting FAKE NEWS.’
- Saturday morning: Journalists from the three outlets arrived at the White House and had their press passes confiscated, effectively barring them from the premises.
- Saturday: CNN, MS NOW, and Politico issued statements condemning the ban and vowing legal action.
- Sunday: Lawmakers and former officials, including Sen. Barrasso, Obama, and Waltz, publicly reacted to the ban, offering divergent perspectives on its legality and implications.