Trump escalates fight with press corps
Even while awaiting a federal court ruling on Donald Trump’s efforts to ban three news organizations from the White House, the Justice Department has escalated the fight.
The department announced on Saturday that it was investigating the news networks in the TV pool for their response to the ban. Pool members have agreed on several occasions to leave the pool slot empty when a banned organization was due to handle coverage.
The three news organizations — MS NOW, CNN, and Politico — have continued access to the White House while a federal judge weighs a final decision. U.S. District Court Judge Timothy Kelly, a Trump appointee, last extended his temporary restraining order granting the journalists access, promising a final decision by Tuesday.
Trump initially barred reporters from the three organizations from entering the White House grounds and had their credentials confiscated. After Kelly restored their right of access, the White House barred the journalists on a sporadic basis, such as blocking CNN from serving in the TV pool on a recent Trump campaign trip. Politico on Monday was prevented from flying on Air Force One. In response, members of the pool have not provided coverage on a number of those days.
Kelly’s order did not specifically address pool coverage — just access to the White House grounds.
Reliable Sources (CNN): The process is the punishment
The Guardian: US justice department investigating TV networks over Trump pool coverage
The New York Times: Justice Dept. Is Investigating TV Networks Over Trump Pool Coverage
CNN: Trump’s DOJ probes major TV networks over response to White House ban of CNN
Oct. 9 …
In brief: MS NOW, CNN, Politico still have White House access while awaiting final court ruling
The Guardian (Margaret Sullivan): Trump’s latest attacks on the press exude desperation
The Associated Press: Media attorneys ask court for help in preventing White House ban until legal case is resolved
The New York Times: Why a Court Order Didn’t Stop Trump From Keeping Reporters Off Air Force One
Columbia Journalism Review: A war of attrition.
CNN: White House blocks Politico from Air Force One amid press access lawsuit