CNN, MS NOW and Politico Expand White House Access Lawsuit

CNN, MS NOW and Politico have amended their lawsuit against the Trump administration, asking a federal judge to stop their exclusion from White House press-pool assignments in restricted areas including the Oval Office and Air Force One. The outlets say their press credentials have been restored under earlier court orders, but they remain barred from some pool rotations. The amended complaint expands a case initially focused on the outlets’ access to the White House grounds. It asks the court to declare the continued exclusions unlawful and order relief, arguing that the administration is retaliating against the organizations because of their coverage and violating First Amendment and due-process protections. Those are the outlets’ claims; the court has not ruled on the amended complaint. Press pools are rotating groups of reporters assigned to cover the president in spaces with limited room, including the Oval Office and Air Force One. The outlets say that when the White House allows selected journalists into those spaces for reporting, it cannot exclude them because it disagrees with their coverage. They do not claim an unrestricted right to enter the Oval Office or travel...