Trump treads further on free speech with new journalist bans

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The president’s threat against CNN, MS Now, and Politico was real.

The president’s threat against CNN, MS Now, and Politico was real.

TC SottekCloseTC SottekSenior EditorPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.

ShareGiftPresident Donald Trump speaks to reporters on the tarmac before boarding Air Force One. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images) Getty ImagesTC SottekCloseTC SottekPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.

On Friday, the president threatened to ban CNN, MS Now, and Politico from the White House. It could have just been another one of his Truth Social fever dreams, but it turns out it’s very real. All three publications were turned away from the White House this morning, NPR reports, marking an escalation in the administration’s war on the First Amendment.

Politico tried to get to the bottom of it, asking why now? It reports that “many senior [White House] staff were surprised by the directive” (what’s new?), and that it was done “while chief of staff Susie Wiles was out of town.” Apparently he’s been talked down from this kind of sweeping move before, but Trump has already banned journalists from the White House. In 2025, he barred AP reporters from the White House and Air Force One; the AP sued and is still in litigation over the matter. He also revoked CNN reporter Jim Acosta’s credentials in his first term, though CNN won them back in court. Clearly, the administration is not too worried about adverse judicial rulings.

This isn’t just about a few publications in the White House. It’s part of a broader attack on journalism and the First Amendment that has exploded during Trump’s second term. The Department of Defense (now the Department of War, though that change was not authorized by Congress), has also pushed reporters out of the Pentagon. Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Friday that he “fully supports” Trump’s ban on CNN, MS Now, and Politico, blithely stating “we are grateful these outlets already chose to self-deport from the Pentagon” and echoing the president’s bullshit about fake news.

And journalism and broadcast organizations have faced repeated attack by Trump’s FCC, which is wielding its immense power against anyone who dares to question the president’s conduct. The president has proved he is willing to use almost any lever at his disposal to curb critical speech of himself and his government, which is the beating heart of the First Amendment.

The newly-banned organizations will surely challenge this measure in court, and unless our constitutional order has completely fallen apart, they’ll likely win. But that doesn’t erase the damage — the distraction, cost, and chaos that this kind of thing will cause.

Here are statements from CNN, MS Now, and Politico on the bans.

Early today, CNN journalists were denied access to the White House grounds. CNN’s mission to report on the US government will continue regardless of any attempts to restrict physical access to the White House and other government buildings, or any other attempts to impede our journalism. We have a right under the US Constitution to do our reporting without hindrance or interference from the government and this ban is an illegal assault on this fundamental right.

We will not be deflected from our duty to hold the government and other public bodies to account, and we will continue to report on the actions and processes of this administration without fear or favor.

CNN stands fully behind our White House team.

Earlier this morning, MS NOW journalists were denied access to the White House grounds. The White House belongs to the American people, and the decisions made inside are funded by our tax dollars.

MS NOW intends to take any and all steps necessary to defend our First Amendment rights and the essential role of independent journalism in our democracy.

We stand firmly behind our anchors, our reporters, and our newsroom.

We will continue to report on the president, the administration, and the issues that impact the American people.

Politico, statement from Global Editor In Chief Jonathan Greenberger:

A few minutes ago, our colleague Cheyenne Haslett attempted to enter the White House to do her job as a POLITICO reporter. Secret Service denied her entry to the complex and confiscated the pass that allows her access to the White House. We stand by her and all reporters here covering the White House. As we said yesterday, we will vigorously defend our First Amendment rights.

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