Justice Department Targets Free Press: Accuses Three Outlets of 'False Reporting' in White House Credential Dispute
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In a chilling attack on press freedom, the Justice Department accused CNN, Politico, and MSNOW of publishing so-called 'false stories' that allegedly threatened national security, as a court weighs lifting a draconian ban on their White House press passes.
The U.S. Justice Department has escalated its assault on independent journalism by submitting a filing in a Washington, D.C. district court, targeting three news organizations—CNN, Politico, and MSNOW—for allegedly 'trafficking in verifiable falsehoods' and publishing reports that supposedly 'threatened national security.' This move comes as a judge prepares to decide whether to temporarily lift a White House ban that arbitrarily stripped these outlets' reporters of access.
The three outlets had their press passes confiscated after the White House revoked their credentials in a blatant act of retaliation, prompting them to file a joint lawsuit asserting that this action violated their First Amendment rights. The Justice Department's filing, parroting the administration's talking points, claims the outlets were given a list of 'reporting incidents' by the White House—citing critical stories about construction projects at the residence, including a security bunker and a new ballroom, as well as coverage of an internal leak investigation. The document cynically insists that 'access to the White House is a privilege, not a right,' a dangerous precedent for press freedom.
In a joint statement, the targeted media groups condemned the revocation as occurring 'without notice or process,' rightly arguing it was unconstitutional. Ahead of the hearing, a broad coalition of 49 media organizations—including major newspapers and broadcast networks—filed a brief supporting the lawsuit, recognizing the grave threat to journalism. Major television networks have also withdrawn from the presidential video-pool in protest against this authoritarian overreach.
President Donald Trump, notorious for his hostility toward the press, has publicly attacked the outlets, telling CNN reporter Kaitlin Collins that the network should not be covering him and labeling the three outlets as 'treasonous' both in separate remarks and on social media. This latest episode underscores the administration's ongoing war on the free press and democratic accountability.