‘Third Rate Clowns’: Trump attacks CNN, Politico, MS NOW after White House access suit
US President Donald Trump on Monday attacked CNN, MS NOW and Politico as “Fake News” outlets after the three news organisations sued his administration over their exclusion from the White House, accusing them of publishing negative and defamatory reports. The three organisations filed a lawsuit in federal court in Washington seeking to restore their access to the White House. They argue that the administration’s decision to bar their journalists violates their First Amendment rights and was imposed without a process to challenge the restrictions. The lawsuit follows Trump’s decision to revoke access to the three outlets after criticising their coverage. CNN was also removed from its scheduled television pool duties.
Their reporters were denied entry to the White House grounds on Saturday and had their press credentials confiscated, according to the news organisations.
“As expected, Fake News CNN, Politico (Pay back the 8 Million Dollar contribution made by the US Government to keep them afloat!), and MSNOW (formerly known as MSDNC!), have brought suit to gain access to the White House, and your President, ME! Kelly previously handled CNN reporter Jim Acosta’s legal challenge after the White House revoked his press access in 2018. Earlier reporting noted: President Donald Trump announced the ban Friday in a post on Truth Social, saying the three outlets would be barred from the White House “effective immediately.
The organisations said in a joint statement that their lawsuit was intended to defend their First Amendment rights and the principle that the government should not determine what the press reports. “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 outlets said. Earlier reporting noted: Trump accused the organizations of publishing what he called “fake news,” “fiction” and “lies” about him and his administration.
They have drawn a great Judge, for them, a man who ruled in favor of Jim Acosta, who now seems to have disappeared from the Planet. The case has been assigned to US District Judge Timothy Kelly, who was appointed by Trump during his first term. Kelly ordered the administration to temporarily restore Acosta’s press pass. The news organisations are seeking to restore access while the administration maintains that it has authority over White House access. The legal battle is expected to focus on whether the government can restrict press access based on dissatisfaction with an outlet’s reporting and whether journalists were entitled to notice and an opportunity to challenge the decision. He also suggested that other media outlets could face similar restrictions.
Earlier reporting noted: Why did CNN, MS NOW and Politico sue the Trump administration? White House ban explained CNN, MS NOW and Politico sued the Trump administration on Monday after the White House barred their journalists from its grounds.