In brief
The US Justice Department has filed documents accusing three media outlets—CNN, Politico and MS NOW—of “trafficking in verifiable falsehoods” and endangering national security. Last week President Donald Trump barred the outlets from the White House after accusing them of spreading “fake news.” The outlets responded with a joint lawsuit claiming the ban violates First‑Amendment rights. A judge now faces a decision on whether to temporarily lift the ban before a full hearing, while major networks have pulled out of the White House media‑pool in protest.
The US Justice Department has filed documents that accuse three media outlets banned from the White House of "trafficking in verifiable falsehoods" and reporting which "threatened national security" as it prepared to defend the move in court.
Last week, President Donald Trump barred CNN, Politico and MS NOW from the White House, accusing them of spreading "fake news".
After their reporters had their passes confiscated and were denied access to the building, the three outlets jointly launched legal action, calling the move unconstitutional.
On Wednesday, a judge is set to decide whether to issue an order temporarily lifting the ban, pending a full hearing.
Court Filing Details
According to a court filing by the Justice Department in a District of Columbia court, the three outlets were issued with a list of "reporting incidents" by the White House ahead of the ban. The filing cites a number of stories about construction at the White House – including a security bunker and a new ballroom – as well as a report on an internal information leak investigation.
The administration stresses that "access to the White House is a privilege, not a right".
The three media organisations argue the ban breaches their First Amendment rights, which forbid the government from "abridging" the freedom of the press.
Public and Industry Response
In a joint statement, the outlets warned, "Without notice or process, the White House revoked our journalists' credentials because it objected to our reporting. Left unchallenged, this threatens press freedom and the public's right to independent journalism free from government interference."
Before the hearing, 49 media organisations – including CBS News, The New York Times and Fox News – filed a legal brief supporting the lawsuit. Major TV networks have withdrawn from the White House media‑pool to protest the ban.
The White House launched its own streaming channel, Trump TV, offering 24/7 footage of the president. Shortly after, tensions rose when Trump told CNN reporter Kaitlin Collins before a UN speech that "You should not be here covering me."
The network later noted it did not make such a pledge. Trump called the outlets "treasonous" and attacked Collins on social media.
