Trump says CNN, MS NOW, Politico could return to White House if court rules against media ban | Today’s news
US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday (September 22nd) he would “probably” let reporters from CNN, MS NOW and Politico back on the White House grounds if a court rules against his decision to ban the three news organizations.
The remarks came a day before a federal court hearing on the stores’ lawsuit challenging the administration’s decision. The three organizations argued that the restrictions violated their First Amendment rights.
The dispute also disrupted the White House’s traditional television stock, prompting the administration to launch its own video stream called “Trump TV.”
Trump confronts CNN reporters at the United Nations
Despite being banned from the White House grounds, reporters from CNN, MS NOW and Politico continued to cover Trump’s visit to the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Tuesday, using media credentials issued by the United Nations.
As Trump entered the UN building, he expressed surprise to see CNN reporters covering his visit.
“I’m surprised CNN is covering me, you shouldn’t be here,” Trump said. “You said you wouldn’t cover for me.
CNN has not said it will stop covering Trump.
White House restrictions apply to access to White House grounds and are separate from media access granted by the United Nations to cover the General Assembly.
Why did Trump ban three stores?
Trump announced the restrictions on Friday, accusing CNN, MS NOW and Politico of repeatedly reporting what he described as “FICTION and LIES” while covering his presidency.
The three news organizations subsequently sued Trump and members of his administration in federal court in Washington, DC, seeking a temporary injunction against the restrictions. They argue that the move violates constitutional protections for freedom of speech and the press.
U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly is scheduled to hear the case Wednesday.
Trump questions judge’s fairness
Asked in New York if he would restore access if a court rules against the ban, Trump said he “probably” would.
However, he also criticized Judge Timothy Kelly, saying the judge was “not a particularly fair judge”.
“But I’m talking about national security. I think we have a right to take down fake news,” Trump said.
Trump appointed Kelly to the federal bench in 2017 during his first term as president. Kelly previously ruled against Trump in 2018 in the case of a CNN journalist who had his White House press pass revoked.
White House says stores not ‘banned’
The Trump administration sought to characterize the restrictions as restrictions on access to the workspace rather than a broader ban on intelligence organizations.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on NBC’s Today program Tuesday, “They’re not banned… We’re not shutting down CNN… They’re just not allowed to work from the White House workspace.”
But the three organizations said their journalists were denied access to the White House grounds and had their credentials deactivated or confiscated.
