Press groups challenge White House ban on three outlets

Reporters denied entry

Journalists from CNN, MS NOW and Politico were denied entry to the White House on Saturday after President Donald Trump announced a ban on the three news organizations Friday.

MS NOW reporter Akayla Gardner said her badge was disabled and taken when she arrived. She also said a network photographer was denied entry, while an MS NOW producer was admitted. CNN reporter Betsy Klein left the security kiosk without her credential, and CNN confirmed that its journalists had been refused access.

Politico reporter Cheyenne Haslett was also turned away. Politico editor-in-chief Jonathan Greenberger told staff that the Secret Service had confiscated her pass. The workspaces normally used by CNN and MS NOW inside the White House were empty Saturday.

First Amendment objections

All three organizations condemned the restrictions. MS NOW said it would take necessary steps to defend its First Amendment rights and the role of independent journalism. CNN called the ban unconstitutional and said it would continue covering the administration. Politico said it would defend its journalists and First Amendment rights.

The White House Correspondents’ Association called for the reporters’ access to be restored. Jameel Jaffer, director of Columbia University’s Knight First Amendment Institute, said the action was unconstitutional and that a potential legal challenge would succeed.

Trump announced the restrictions in a social media post, accusing the three organizations of repeatedly publishing false reports. He warned that other outlets could face similar action but did not identify them.

A senior White House official defended the ban Saturday by repeating the administration’s contention that some news organizations had spread falsehoods about the president. The White House had not reversed the restrictions.