DOJ Defends Trump's White House Press Ban as CNN, MS NOW and Politico Fight Back
The Justice Department says Trump can control reporters' access to restricted presidential areas, as CNN, MS NOW and Politico challenge their exclusion in court.
The Department of Justice has told a federal court that President Donald Trump has the authority to decide which journalists may enter restricted areas of the White House, arguing that such access is a privilege rather than a legal right. The filing came a day before a scheduled court hearing on a challenge brought by three news organisations.
CNN, MS NOW and Politico moved to court after Trump ordered on Friday that they be barred from the presidential mansion, describing the move as punishment for what he calls "fake news." A US district judge has set a hearing on their complaint for Wednesday.
In its filing, the Justice Department said the president can "control reporters' access to restricted presidential areas, such as the Oval Office," adding that "access to the White House is a privilege -- not a right." The department also said letters setting out the president's reasons for the ban were sent to the outlets on Tuesday, giving them until Friday to object.
According to the filing, those letters cite numerous "reporting incidents" that allegedly "threatened national security and spread falsehoods." The letter to CNN reportedly pointed to a story about Trump's plans to build a bunker beneath the East Wing ballroom he is constructing, which it said disclosed "top-secret" construction details, along with several stories about the Iran war.
Journalists from the three outlets were denied access to the White House grounds on Saturday and had their passes confiscated. In their lawsuit, the outlets asked for a temporary restraining order against the ban, arguing that it violates the First Amendment of the US Constitution, which protects a free press. They described the ban as a direct assault on the First Amendment and a blatant violation of fundamental constitutional principles.
Trump appeared on Tuesday to extend his criticism beyond the White House grounds, telling reporters covering his visit to the United Nations General Assembly this week that he was surprised CNN was present to cover him.
The president has a long history of attacking media outlets whose coverage he considers critical, repeatedly describing the press as the "enemy of the people." The latest ban comes as his approval ratings stand at record lows, his Republican Party faces the risk of losing control of Congress in November's midterm elections, and the war in the Middle East continues without a clear end.