CNN, MS NOW and Politico filed a federal lawsuit Monday challenging President Donald Trump’s decision to bar their journalists from White House grounds, setting up a legal battle over presidential press access and First Amendment protections.
Read more The Disingenuous Left-Wing Attacks on Trump’s Housing Policies
The three news organizations allege the administration violated the First Amendment by retaliating against them because of their reporting and discriminating based on viewpoint. They also allege their Fifth Amendment due process rights were violated when their credentials were revoked without adequate notice or process.
asks a federal court in Washington to declare the ban unconstitutional and restore the outlets’ access while the case proceeds.
“This morning, we notified the government that we are filing a lawsuit today to protect our First Amendment rights and defend the principle that the government does not decide what the press reports or publishes,” the organizations said in a joint statement.
Read more Scores on PISA Are Leaning the Wrong Way
The Trump administration has defended the restrictions.
“The First Amendment protects their right to publish; it does not entitle them to a hard pass, briefing room seat, or place in the press pool,” the White House said, according to The Associated Press.
Trump has said the outlets produce “fake news” and defended his authority to restrict their White House access.
The dispute has also disrupted television coverage of the president. CNN had been scheduled for a rotation providing pooled video coverage Monday. Other television networks subsequently declined to provide replacement pool coverage after CNN was prevented from performing its assignment.
Read more From Common Ground to Battle Grounds
