DOJ Defends White House Ban on CNN, MS NOW and Politico

The Justice Department urged a federal judge to reject CNN, MS NOW and Politico’s request to temporarily restore their White House access, arguing in a court filing that access to the complex is a privilege and that the administration acted over national-security and professionalism concerns. The outlets say the ban unlawfully retaliates against them for their reporting. The court has not ruled on the dispute. The filing, submitted late Tuesday, asks U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly to deny a temporary restraining order. A hearing on the request is scheduled for Wednesday, September 23. The outlets filed suit Monday, arguing that the ban violates their First Amendment protections and due-process rights. They seek an order blocking the restrictions while the case proceeds. The Justice Department’s filing says the outlets were given adequate notice and an opportunity to contest the administration’s findings. It argues that the president would have taken the same action regardless of the outlets’ speech and says other organizations that have criticized him have not lost access.