CNN, MS NOW, Politico to sue White House over blocked access

Sara Fischer

A reporter under umbrellas on a street corner preparing for a TV report. — MS NOW's Akayla Gardner outside the White House after her access was revoked. Photo: Graeme Sloan/Getty Images

CNN, MS NOW, and Politico on Monday said they plan to file a First Amendment lawsuit against the White House, arguing the president and the administration violated their rights by blocking their access over the weekend.

Why it matters: Many presidents have had a contentious relationship with certain outlets, but none have gone so far as to unilaterally block them.

Zoom in: "This morning, we notified the government that we are filing a lawsuit today to protect our First Amendment rights and defend the principle that the government does not decide what the press reports or publishes," the three news organizations said in a joint statement on Monday.

"Without notice or process, the White House revoked our journalists' credentials because it objected to our reporting," they said. "Left unchallenged, this threatens press freedom and the public's right to independent journalism free from government interference."

Zoom out: The lawsuit is a historic show of solidarity amongst the banned outlets, as they and other newsrooms continue to face unprecedented pressure from The Trump administration.

Figures within the administration have argued the president has the right to ban reporters from certain spaces, but legal experts argue precedent overwhelmingly backs the news outlets.

This is a breaking news story.

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CNN, MS NOW, Politico to sue White House over blocked access

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