In brief
The DOJ’s Antitrust Division is investigating whether ABC, CBS, CNN, NBC and Fox News violated the Sherman Act by suspending pool coverage of President Trump after the administration revoked credentials for CNN, MS‑Now and Politico. The move followed a court order that restored the reporters’ access after lawsuits claiming a First Amendment violation. The networks have not yet commented on the investigation. Meanwhile, Trump’s administration has seized control of the press pool and sued outlets for coverage deemed defamatory. The probe underscores tensions over press freedom and alleged collusion among the media during the preceding month.
US Justice Department Investigates TV Networks Over Trump Pool Coverage
The Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division has asked ABC, CBS, CNN, NBC and Fox News to hand over emails and documents related to the White House press pool after those networks halted coverage in protest of Trump’s deletion of credentials for CNN, MS‑Now and Politico.
The pause, which lasted several days, followed a judge’s ruling that the ban violated the First Amendment and that the reporters’ access should be restored. The networks said they would not comment on the DOJ’s investigation.
Trump’s administration withdrew credentials for several outlets it accused of “fiction or lies” about the president in an attempt to curb criticism. After the courts reinstated their access, Trump’s White House announced it had taken control of the press pool—an arrangement that had existed for over a century—raising concerns about press freedom.
The Antitrust Division said it was examining whether collusion between the networks could amount to a violation of the Sherman Act, which prohibits monopolistic practices.
The lawsuit and the DOJ investigation highlight the legal and political battles over media coverage of Trump and raise questions about the balance between government authority and press independence.
