Justice Department alleges false reporting by three outlets in White House credential dispute
The Justice Department filed a brief accusing CNN, Politico and MSNOW of publishing false stories that threatened national security, as a court considers lifting a ban on their White House press passes.
The U.S. Justice Department submitted a filing in a Washington, D.C. district court accusing three news organizations—CNN, Politico and MSNOW—of "trafficking in verifiable falsehoods" and of publishing reports that "threatened national security." The filing comes as a judge is set to decide whether to temporarily lift a White House ban that barred the outlets' reporters from the building.
The three outlets had their press passes confiscated after the White House revoked their credentials, prompting them to file a joint lawsuit claiming the action violated their First Amendment rights. In the filing, the department said the outlets had been given a list of "reporting incidents" by the White House, citing stories about construction projects at the residence, including a security bunker and a new ballroom, as well as coverage of an internal information-leak investigation. The document emphasized that "access to the White House is a privilege, not a right."
In a joint statement, the media groups said the revocation occurred "without notice or process" and argued it was unconstitutional. Ahead of the hearing, a coalition of 49 media organizations, including major newspapers and broadcast networks, filed a brief supporting the lawsuit. Major television networks have also withdrawn from the presidential video-pool in protest.
President Donald Trump has publicly criticized the outlets, telling CNN reporter Kaitlin Collins that the network should not be covering him and labeling the three outlets as "treasonous" in separate remarks and on social media.