Three major U.S. news organizations — CNN, MS NOW and Politico — are taking the Trump administration to court after their journalists were denied access to the White House.
The outlets said Monday that they had notified the federal government they were filing a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, arguing that the restrictions violate their First Amendment rights.
The dispute could quickly become one of the most closely watched battles over presidential power and press access in Washington.
Reporters Barred From the White House
The confrontation escalated over the weekend after President Donald Trump announced that CNN, MS NOW and Politico would no longer be allowed on White House grounds.
Trump accused the organizations of publishing what he described as “fake news” and reporting he considered false.
On Saturday, reporters from all three organizations were denied entry.
CNN White House reporter Betsy Klein and MS NOW reporter Akayla Gardner said their credentials had been deactivated, while Politico said White House reporter Cheyenne Haslett was also denied access and had her credential confiscated.
News Organizations Take Legal Action
CNN, MS NOW and Politico say the government should not be able to revoke journalists’ credentials because officials object to their reporting.
The organizations are asking the federal court to restore their White House access.
According to Reuters, emergency hearings in the case could take place as soon as this week.
At the time of Reuters’ initial report Monday, the White House had not immediately provided a response to its request for comment on the lawsuit.
First Amendment Battle
The case puts the First Amendment at the center of another major confrontation between the Trump administration and the American news media.
The First Amendment protects freedom of speech and freedom of the press, but the new lawsuit will require the courts to consider how those protections apply to access to White House grounds and press credentials.
The White House Correspondents’ Association has also called for the reporters’ access to be restored.
Its president, Jacqui Heinrich, argued that allowing the government to exclude an organization because of its coverage could have implications for other news outlets in the future.
Trump Has Clashed With Media Outlets Before
The latest dispute is not the first legal battle involving Trump and White House press access.
During Trump’s first term, his administration attempted to suspend or revoke credentials belonging to journalists including CNN’s Jim Acosta and Playboy correspondent Brian Karem. Federal judges later ordered their passes restored.
Trump’s current administration has also been involved in a separate dispute with The Associated Press over White House access.
What Happens Next?
Attention now turns to the federal court in Washington.
If emergency proceedings take place this week, a judge could soon be asked to determine whether the three organizations should regain access while the broader constitutional case continues.
Whatever the outcome, the lawsuit is shaping up to be another major test of the relationship between the White House, presidential authority and press freedom in the United States.
Sources: Reuters, Associated Press