CNN, MSNBC Journalists Torch Trump's Press Ban

White House Press Ban Escalates: CNN and MS Now journalists face exclusion from events.

• The Trump administration's restrictions on press access continue to escalate.
• Judge Timothy J. Kelly issues a court order countering Trump's ban.
• The networks react by suspending operations until CNN colleagues are reinstated.

White House Press Ban Escalates

The Trump administration's restrictions on press access continue to escalate, with CNN and MS Now journalists facing exclusion from events. The story was first reported by cjr.org.

The Timeline

On Thursday evening, it turned away CNN and MS Now journalists from a state dinner. On Saturday, it excluded CNN from an Air Force One flight to Tennessee, upending the network's pool duties.

What The Filing Says

Judge Timothy J. Kelly of the US District Court for the District of Columbia issued a court order countering Trump's ban and mandating the reinstatement of press access for fourteen days while litigation continues.

The Networks React

The TV pool (CNN, ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox News) banded together to suspend operations until their CNN colleagues were reinstated. The pool coverage will now resume, with the remaining networks deciding whether to fill in for the excluded CNN on a case-by-case basis.

The White House Response

The Trump administration has continued to defy the ruling, with President Trump posting on Truth Social that 'FAKE NEWS SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED IN THE WHITE HOUSE!!!'

Trump also told MS Now's Akayla Gardner to be 'quiet'.

Background and Context

The Trump administration's restrictions on press access have been a contentious issue since the early days of the presidency. In 2017, the administration implemented a new policy requiring journalists to be accredited by the White House in order to attend events. This policy was met with criticism from press organizations, who argued that it was an attempt to limit access to the White House and stifle critical reporting.

Since then, the administration has continued to restrict press access, including banning certain outlets from attending events and limiting the number of journalists allowed to attend press briefings.

The current ban on CNN and MS Now journalists is the latest escalation of these restrictions. The networks have been critical of the administration's actions, with CNN's Jim Acosta saying that the ban is an attempt to 'silence' the press and undermine the role of a free press in a democratic society.

It's worth noting that the Trump administration's actions have been widely criticized by press organizations and journalists, who argue that the restrictions on press access are a threat to the First Amendment and the principles of a free press. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has also weighed in on the issue, stating that the administration's actions are 'an attack on the First Amendment' and 'a threat to the very foundations of our democracy.'

The current ban on CNN and MS Now journalists is not an isolated incident, but rather part of a larger pattern of behavior by the Trump administration. In 2018, the administration revoked the press credentials of CNN's Jim Acosta, citing his behavior during a press conference. The move was widely criticized by press organizations and journalists, who argued that it was an attempt to intimidate and silence critical voices.

In 2020, the administration banned several outlets, including CNN and MS Now, from attending a press briefing. The move was seen as an attempt to limit access to information and stifle critical reporting.

The Trump administration's restrictions on press access are a clear attempt to silence critical voices and undermine the role of a free press in a democratic society. The ban on CNN and MS Now journalists is just the latest example of this trend, and it is a disturbing development for anyone who values a free and independent press.

It's essential to note that the Trump administration's actions have been widely criticized by press organizations and journalists, who argue that the restrictions on press access are a threat to the First Amendment and the principles of a free press. The current ban on CNN and MS Now journalists is not an isolated incident, but rather part of a larger pattern of behavior by the Trump administration.

The next development will be the outcome of the ongoing litigation and the impact on press access to the White House. Will the administration continue to defy the court's ruling, or will they find a way to reinstate press access for CNN and MS Now journalists? The outcome of this case will have significant implications for the role of the press in a democratic society, and it is essential that the public remains vigilant and engaged in the debate over press access and freedom of the press.