News outlets to sue Trump over White House access ban

CNN, MS NOW and Politico have announced plans to sue the Trump administration over the White House ban imposed on the three news organizations, arguing that the move violates their First Amendment rights, CBS News reports.

The outlets said that they had notified the administration of their intention to file a lawsuit seeking the immediate restoration of their access to the White House. Their reporters were denied entry on September 19, and their press credentials were revoked following President Donald Trump’s announcement of the ban.

“There could not be a more direct assault on the First Amendment,” the legal motion from the news organizations said. “Presidents from the earliest days of the Republic have disagreed with and complained about the tenor and content of press coverage of their administrations.”

The lawsuit, filed in the US District Court for the District of Columbia, names Trump and three senior administration officials: White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, spokesperson Steven Cheung and Secret Service Director Sean Curran. The organizations are seeking expedited action from a federal judge to prevent further enforcement of the ban.

Trump announced the restrictions on Truth Social, accusing the outlets of publishing what he described as “fake news.” Speaking to reporters afterward, he defended the decision.

“I don't think somebody should be allowed to come and write fake stories. They're fake news. And they have no credibility,” Trump said. “Now, if they want to write them, that's fine, but I don't have to let them into my — into the people's house.”

The dispute is the latest in a series of clashes between the Trump administration and news organizations over press access. Last year, the Associated Press challenged restrictions imposed after it declined to adopt the administration’s preferred name for the Gulf of Mexico. A federal appeals court later allowed limited restrictions in certain areas while maintaining that journalists could not be excluded from spaces generally open to the press based on their viewpoint.

The administration has also faced previous legal challenges over White House press access. During Trump’s first term, CNN successfully challenged the revocation of reporter Jim Acosta’s press credentials, with a federal judge ordering his access restored.

By Vafa Guliyeva