CNN, Politico and MS NOW Sue Trump Over White House Access Ban

CNN, Politico and MS NOW are suing President Donald Trump and members of his administration after the news organizations were barred from the White House, arguing that the restrictions violate the First Amendment, John Gerstein and Kyle Cheney reported for Politico.

CNN, Politico and MS NOW filed a federal lawsuit challenging the Trump administration's decision to bar their journalists from the White House. [Photo: Daniel Torok, The White House Flickr]

The three organizations said they filed the federal lawsuit to restore access for their journalists, who were denied entry to the White House complex over the weekend.

The outlets said the administration revoked journalists' access because of objections to their reporting.

The organizations are seeking a temporary restraining order in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., that would restore access while the broader legal challenge proceeds.

A hearing was scheduled for Wednesday.

In a joint statement, CNN, MS NOW and Politico said the government should not determine what the press reports or publishes.

The Trump administration has defended the restrictions, with Trump accusing the three outlets of publishing what he calls “fake news.” The White House has argued that access to the presidential complex is a privilege rather than an unrestricted right.

The dispute comes as several major television networks have also suspended participation in the White House television press pool following CNN's exclusion.

The lawsuit does not establish whether the administration's action is constitutional. That question will be decided by the federal courts.