The White House revoked press credentials for CNN and MS NOW on Saturday, a day after President Donald Trump vowed to bar the networks from the building.
Legal precedent underscores access rights
A 1977 federal appeals ruling held that once the White House opens its press facilities to credentialed reporters, it cannot revoke that access based on the content of their coverage. A federal judge cited similar reasoning in 2018 when he ordered CNN reporter Jim Acosta’s credential restored after it was pulled, and the Associated Press is still litigating its exclusion from the Oval Office and Air Force One over its refusal to drop “Gulf of Mexico” from its style guide.
Badge removals and staff reactions
MS NOW correspondent Akayla Gardner said a White House guard took her badge Saturday morning and told her it had been disabled, noting the decision came from “above him.” A photographer with her was turned away, though a producer’s badge still worked, and CNN reporter Betsy Klein reported the same treatment an hour later, with the press office offering no explanation. It remains unclear whether Politico staff faced the same block.
Trump’s announcement and statements
Trump announced the ban Friday on Truth Social, writing that the three outlets “shouldn’t be able to constantly write or report FICTION and LIES” about him. When asked about the timing, he told reporters, “No reason,” and described the ban loosely: “I don’t want them in my office. I don’t want them here.” He suggested other major outlets, including The New York Times and The Washington Post, could follow, and faulted Politico over roughly $8 million in federal subscription payments in 2024, a claim the outlet denies.
Organizational responses
CNN and MS NOW called the move an unconstitutional violation of press freedom and pledged to keep reporting on the administration.
Administration support
War Secretary Pete Hegseth said his department “fully supports” the ban.
