Trump bans CNN, MS NOW and Politico journalists from White House, revokes press credentials

President Donald Trump banned CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House on Friday, and on Saturday journalists from all three outlets were denied access to the grounds.
CNN White House reporter Betsy Klein was turned away at the security checkpoint and had her press pass deactivated, she said in a live report on CNN. A Secret Service officer told her the pass was deactivated but provided no reason, advising her to contact the White House press office. MS NOW correspondent Akayla Gardner and a cameraman were also blocked and had their credentials confiscated, Gardner reported live from outside the White House. Politico global editor Jonathan Greenberger said in an email to staff that reporter Cheyenne Haslett was denied entry and her pass was seized.
Trump announced the ban in a Truth Social post on Friday, calling the outlets “Fake News” and accusing them of reporting “FICTION and LIES.” The White House declined to comment beyond Trump’s post.
CNN said in a statement that it “stands fully behind our White House team and their fair and accurate reporting” and asserted its right under the U.S. Constitution to report “without hindrance or interference from the government.” MS NOW said it would take “any and all steps necessary to defend our First Amendment rights.” Politico said it would “vigorously defend our First Amendment rights against any attempt to restrict them.”
Press freedom groups condemned the move. Seth Stern, advocacy director at the Freedom of the Press Foundation, called the ban “a blatant violation of the First Amendment.” Jameel Jaffer, executive director of the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University, said courts have repeatedly ruled against such restrictions. The National Press Club said the ban would mark “an unprecedented assault on press freedom.” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer likened Trump’s actions to those of an autocrat.
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