WASHINGTON (Diya TV) — The Justice Department asked a federal judge to reject an emergency request from CNN, MS NOW and Politico to restore their access to the White House.
The three organizations sued the Trump administration Monday after officials revoked their press credentials. They argue that President Donald Trump targeted them because of their coverage, violating the First Amendment and due process protections.
Trump initially announced the ban Friday, accusing the outlets of publishing “fiction and lies.” The administration later cited national security concerns.
In a court filing Tuesday, the Justice Department argued that White House access is a privilege and that the president may restrict entry to protect sensitive information. The government said the outlets had published classified or sensitive material related to national security.
The filing cited CNN’s reporting about construction details for an East Wing bunker, an MS NOW report about an alleged leak investigation and a Politico report describing security improvements connected to White House ballroom funding. The outlets dispute the administration’s justification and describe the ban as viewpoint discrimination.
The White House sent letters Tuesday allowing the organizations to challenge the allegations by 5 p.m. Friday. The administration said the credential revocations would become final if the outlets did not respond.
U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly was scheduled to hear arguments Wednesday on the outlets’ request for a temporary restraining order. The organizations want the court to restore their access while the lawsuit proceeds.
