CNN, Politico and MS NOW sue Trump administration over White House ban

CNN, Politico and MS NOW sue Trump administration over White House ban ‘This threatens press freedom and the public’s right to independent journalism free from government interference,’ a joint statement reads - Bookmark - CommentsGo to comments Three news organizations banned from the White House by President Trump have confirmed that they are suing the government. The three outlets, CNN, MS NOW and POLITICO, have filed the federal lawsuit to restore access to the White House for their reporters, after their clearance was revoked on Saturday. “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,” spokespeople for the brands said in a statement Monday. “Without notice or process, the White House revoked our journalists’ credentials because it objected to our reporting,” the statement continued. “Left unchallenged, this threatens press freedom and the public’s right to independent journalism free from government interference.” Trump confirmed on Friday that the three organizations were being banned from the White House. On Truth Social, he claimed the ban was “effective immediately.” “Media Outlets shouldn’t be able to constantly write or report FICTION and LIES when they’re covering the President of the United States, the Trump Administration, or the United States of America,” he claimed. “Other Fake News Media Outlets to follow.” By Saturday morning, CNN, MS NOW and POLITICO all said that their journalists had been stopped from accessing the White House grounds. Now, the three organizations are being represented by Theodore Boutros Jr., of law firm Gibson Dunn. Trump and three major White House officials - Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, Communications Director Steven Cheung and Secret Service Director Sean Curran - are all named in the lawsuit. The lawsuit, viewed by The Independent, argues that the ban violates the Fifth Amendment’s Due Process Clause, as well as the First Amendment. “This ban could not be a more direct assault on the First Amendment nor a more blatant violation of our most fundamental constitutional principles,” the lawsuit reads. More follows on this breaking story... Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Comments