In a move that has rocked the media world, President Donald Trump banned CNN, Politico, and MS NOW from the White House, accusing them of publishing fake news.
The Justice Department, in a surprise filing, counters that the three outlets “trafficked in verifiable falsehoods” and reported stories that “threatened national security.” These claims come right before a federal judge will decide if the ban can be lifted while the case goes before a full hearing.
The rejected media giants filed a lawsuit, arguing that the ban violates the First Amendment’s guarantee of press freedom. In a joint statement, they said the White House revoked their journalists’ credentials “without notice or process” and warned that the move threatens the public’s right to independent journalism.
Major television networks have already pulled out of the White House’s “pool,” a shared video and image service, protesting the ban. In response, the White House launched Trump TV, a 24/7 stream of the president’s appearances.
Next Wednesday, a federal judge will weigh in on the case. If the White House ban can’t be temporarily lifted, the judgment will set the stage for an extended legal battle on press freedom and the limits of executive power.
