CNN, MS NOW and Politico sue over White House ban

News organizations challenge access ban

CNN, MS NOW and Politico sued the Trump administration after their White House press passes were revoked and they were denied entry to the grounds Saturday. The organizations asked a federal judge in Washington, D.C., to act quickly and prevent the administration from continuing the ban.

Their legal motion argues that the administration violated the First Amendment by excluding the outlets because of their coverage. The lawsuit names Trump, White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, spokesperson Steven Cheung and Secret Service Director Sean Curran.

Trump announced the ban Friday on Truth Social. Speaking with reporters afterward, he said he did not think organizations that publish what he called fake stories should be allowed into the White House. On Monday, he wrote that his action targeted what he called fake news, not the free press.

Immediate effect on press coverage

CNN was scheduled to travel with Trump on Monday as the designated television network in the press pool. With no replacement, no television network traveled with the president. The pool system allows participating news organizations to share coverage when space is limited.

The three organizations said they had notified the administration of their plan to sue. Their request seeks immediate restoration of access while the court considers the broader constitutional dispute.

Case assigned to judge from earlier press dispute

The case was assigned to U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly, whom Trump appointed to the federal bench during his first term. Kelly also handled CNN’s lawsuit after the White House revoked then-reporter Jim Acosta’s pass during that administration.

In that earlier case, Kelly ordered the pass restored after finding that Acosta’s Fifth Amendment due-process rights had been violated. The White House complied with the order.