US Justice Department: White House access for journalists "privilege, not a right"

The US Justice Department has argued that President Donald Trump can bar journalists from CNN, MS NOW and Politico from parts of the White House at his discretion, citing national security concerns.

In a court filing submitted late on September 22, the department said access to the White House was a privilege rather than a right and argued that the president could restrict reporters’ access to private or restricted areas of the complex, Caliber.Az reports via US media.

“At the very least, the Government may control reporters’ access to restricted presidential areas, such as the Oval Office, even for viewpoint-discriminatory reasons,” the Justice Department wrote.

“The President has found that Plaintiffs have engaged in a number of reporting incidents that have threatened national security. Such reporting directly raises national security concerns.”

The filing was submitted ahead of an emergency hearing before federal judge Timothy Kelly in Washington, DC. CNN, MS NOW and Politico are seeking the immediate restoration of their White House access.

The Justice Department cited coverage by the three organisations of the war in Iran, plans for a ballroom at the White House and other issues as grounds for the restrictions.

Letters sent to the outlets on September 22 said their reporters could submit written objections to the bans by September 25.

The letter to CNN cited reports about plans to build a “top secret” bunker beneath the East Wing ballroom, as well as several stories about the war in Iran.

It said CNN had failed to meet the “expectations” of White House press badge holders because of “reporting incidents” that “threatened national security and/or spread falsehoods.”

The letter to MS NOW criticised its coverage of the war in Iran and a report concerning a leak investigation. Politico was cited over stories concerning Iran, the ballroom project and discussions on Russia sanctions.

CNN, MS NOW and Politico have argued that the White House violated their due process rights by restricting their access without prior written notice or an opportunity to challenge the decision.

The Justice Department cited the letters as evidence that the outlets had now been given an opportunity to respond.

The dispute comes as a federal court in Washington has previously intervened when administrations sought to restrict journalists’ access to the White House, including in cases involving press freedom and due process protections.