The Trump administration is escalating its legal battle to bar CNN, MS NOW, and Politico from White House press access, with Justice Department lawyers now asserting that the outlets have fallen short of basic professional standards. In a Friday night filing, DOJ attorneys representing President Trump argued that the president had concluded these news organizations failed to maintain the "standards of professionalism and decorum expected of those given access to the White House Complex," including by "publishing sensitive or classified information."
The filing comes as the administration continues to restrict the networks' coverage, most recently preventing CNN from fulfilling two scheduled television press pool duties, including travel with the president. This follows a federal judge's ruling that the initial ban violated the outlets' due process rights.
White House defends move as an attack on 'fake news'
The DOJ's legal team reiterated its claim that the three outlets jeopardized national security by publishing classified material, and added that their reporting demonstrates a failure to maintain "minimum professional journalistic standards." The filing also cited President Trump's Truth Social posts, where he insisted the White House is not assaulting the free press but rather "instituting an assault on the FAKE NEWS."
The administration's lawyers further argued that presidents have historically decided which journalists receive privileged access, pointing to George Washington handpicking reporters based on political considerations for his Farewell Address. This historical precedent, they contend, supports the current restrictions.
Legal battle and press pool solidarity
The dispute began in September when the White House barred the three outlets, prompting the television pool—comprising CNN, Fox News, ABC, NBC, and CBS—to issue a statement condemning the move and temporarily withhold coverage in solidarity. U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly later ruled that the White House violated the media companies' due process rights, restoring access for the affected journalists.
Despite the ruling, the DOJ has sought to reinstate the ban. Senior counsel Michael Velchik previously wrote, "After all, access to the White House is a privilege — not a right." Attorney General Todd Blanche echoed that sentiment on Sunday, saying "the president hasn't denied access" but is simply tired of outlets refusing to report accurate news.
The administration now faces a new legal challenge over its decision to prevent CNN reporters from covering the president's trip to Knoxville for the Tennessee-Texas football game, as well as campaign events in Oklahoma and Texas. The outcome of this case could have broader implications for press access during the midterm stretch, as the president continues his swing through GOP strongholds.
Legal experts say the administration's reliance on "professionalism" as a standard is novel and could be difficult to define, potentially setting a precedent for future media relations. Meanwhile, press freedom advocates argue the move is an attempt to punish unfavorable coverage, a charge the White House denies.
As the legal fight continues, the administration's stance on press access remains a flashpoint, with implications for how journalists cover the presidency. The DOJ's latest filing underscores the administration's determination to enforce its own standards, even as courts weigh in on the limits of executive power.
