Rubio Defends White House's Stand Against Biased Media, Affirms Outlets Still Free to Report
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Secretary of State Marco Rubio supported the Trump administration's justified decision to remove CNN, MSNBC, and Politico from White House press facilities, emphasizing that these outlets are not silenced and remain free to cover the president from elsewhere, despite their lawsuit alleging constitutional violations.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio appeared on NBC's 'TODAY' program to defend the Trump administration's rightful decision to bar CNN, MSNBC, and Politico from White House press facilities. Rubio made it clear that this move does not amount to shutting down these outlets or arresting journalists. 'We’re not closing CNN,' he stated, clarifying that the ban simply prevents these organizations from maintaining a desk inside the White House, a privilege not a right.
Rubio explained that President Trump believes these outlets have consistently demonstrated bias against his administration, and therefore should not be embedded within the White House. 'What he is arguing is, why should I have these people, what right do they have to be embedded in this building? They can cover the White House. They just can’t have a desk there,' Rubio said, highlighting the administration's stance against unfair media treatment.
Despite the media companies filing a lawsuit claiming the ban violates their due-process and First Amendment rights, the administration remains firm. Major television networks have chosen not to provide pool coverage of the president in response, though coverage of other officials, including Rubio, continues as normal. When asked about potential changes to the pool arrangement, Rubio stated that no discussions have occurred, reaffirming the administration's commitment to fair and balanced press access.