CNN, MS NOW and Politico Sue Trump Over White House Media Ban

CNN, MS NOW and Politico sued U.S. President Donald Trump and members of his administration on Monday, challenging a decision to ban the three news organizations from White House grounds.

The outlets filed the lawsuit in federal court in Washington, D.C., arguing that the ban violates First Amendment protections for freedom of speech and the press. They are seeking a temporary restraining order, with a court hearing scheduled for Wednesday.

In a joint statement, the organizations said the restrictions threaten press freedom and the public's access to independent journalism. Trump announced the ban Friday, accusing the outlets of publishing false information. On Monday, he defended the action and characterized the targeted coverage as a national security threat, without providing supporting evidence.

The dispute has also disrupted the White House television pool. CNN was scheduled to provide pool coverage of Trump's Monday trip to New York for the United Nations General Assembly but was unable to do so. ABC, CBS, Fox News and NBC subsequently suspended presidential pool coverage, leaving no replacement television pool.

The controversy comes as the White House launched a "Trump TV" stream featuring videos and highlights promoting the administration's record. Jameel Jaffer, executive director of Columbia University's Knight First Amendment Institute, criticized the platform as government propaganda.

The lawsuit was assigned to U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly, a Trump appointee who ruled against the administration in a 2018 dispute involving former CNN correspondent Jim Acosta's White House press credentials.

Trump has had several disputes with major news organizations. His administration previously restricted Associated Press access over the outlet's refusal to use Trump's preferred name for the Gulf of Mexico, prompting a separate lawsuit. During his first term, courts also intervened in disputes involving White House credentials for journalists.

The latest legal battle comes ahead of November's midterm elections and during a week of major diplomatic meetings, including Trump's expected talks with world leaders around the UN General Assembly and Chinese President Xi Jinping's planned visit to Washington.