Journalists from MS NOW, CNN, and Politico were denied access to the White House on a recent Saturday morning. This action followed President Trump’s announcement of a ban on these news outlets. MS NOW reported that their correspondent, Akayla Gardner, and her cameraman were turned away after their press passes were revoked. Gardner revealed that she was informed her pass was disabled without explanation from security.
CNN’s Betsy Klein and a cameraman also faced rejection at the White House, resulting in them leaving without their credentials. Politico’s Cheyenne Haslett encountered a similar situation; her entry was blocked by the Secret Service, resulting in her pass being seized.
In response, MS NOW emphasized its commitment to First Amendment rights and the crucial role of independent journalism. They highlighted the importance of transparency, noting that White House decisions are funded by taxpayer dollars.
CNN reiterated its dedication to reporting on U.S. government activities and maintained that physical access restrictions would not deter their journalism. They underscored their responsibility to hold government accountable and assured support for their White House team.
Politico’s editor-in-chief, Jonathan Greenberger, expressed solidarity with Haslett and affirmed their commitment to defending First Amendment rights. He conveyed these sentiments in an email to the newsroom.
Fox News reporter Jacqui Heinrich, president of the White House Correspondents’ Association, criticized the revocation of press passes, stating it infringes on the First Amendment. She urged the administration to restore access immediately, warning that such actions set a precedent that could affect any news outlet.
President Trump justified the ban by expressing his disdain for “fake news” but did not specify any particular stories. This recent conflict is one in a series of tensions between his administration and the press. In the past, Trump attempted to bar the Associated Press over a naming dispute regarding the Gulf of Mexico, which led to legal challenges. A federal judge initially ruled in favor of restoring the AP’s access, although a federal appeals court allowed some restrictions.
In another incident during Trump’s first term, the White House attempted to withdraw CNN correspondent Jim Acosta’s press pass following a heated exchange with Trump. CNN’s lawsuit resulted in a federal judge ordering the restoration of Acosta’s pass.
Legal experts like Jessica Levinson view the bans as content-based discrimination, which the First Amendment is designed to prevent.