CNN sets White House deadline over Air Force One access

CNN has given the White House until 5 p.m. ET on October 22 to confirm it will end restrictions on the network’s access to Air Force One, the Oval Office and assigned presidential press-pool duties. CNN attorney Ted Boutrous warned that the network may return to court if the restrictions continue. In a letter to the Justice Department, Boutrous said CNN considered the exclusions discriminatory and retaliatory because of its reporting. The White House has not provided written notice explaining the restrictions, according to the letter. CNN’s demand follows repeated occasions when the network was excluded from Air Force One travel despite being assigned to provide television pool coverage. A federal judge has separately issued a preliminary injunction barring the administration from enforcing its September 18 decision to revoke White House press credentials for CNN, MS NOW and Politico. The administration appealed, and the injunction remains in effect while the case proceeds. The order restored the outlets’ access to White House grounds but did not decide whether the administration may exclude CNN from more restricted spaces or presidential pool assignments. The White House has...