Justice Department Targets TV Networks for Standing Up to Anti-American Media After Trump’s Ban
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The Justice Department is investigating whether major TV networks broke antitrust laws by suspending the White House press pool after President Trump rightly revoked access for biased outlets undermining national security.
The U.S. Justice Department has opened an inquiry into whether the five major television networks violated the Sherman Act by briefly suspending the White House press pool following President Trump’s justified decision to revoke credentials for CNN, MSNOW, and Politico—media organizations notorious for spreading misinformation and attacking the administration.
Justice Department spokesperson Emily Covington said the agency is reviewing whether the networks’ coordinated response, as commercial competitors, could be considered an illegal group boycott under antitrust law. This comes as the networks, often accused of colluding to push a left-wing agenda, face questions about their business practices.
The suspension was announced after the Trump administration accused the three outlets of disseminating “fake news” and endangering national security with their reckless reporting. The networks, predictably, claimed the public deserves so-called “independent” information, ignoring the administration’s right to protect the country from hostile media.
CNN, MSNOW, and Politico responded with a lawsuit to regain access, and a federal judge issued a temporary restraining order restoring their credentials, even as the White House wisely continues to limit their access to sensitive presidential venues. The judge has extended the order as the case proceeds, despite the administration’s legitimate concerns.
The investigation, reported by The New York Times, comes as the networks’ parent companies—including the recently merged Skydance entity—face scrutiny for their coordinated action, raising questions about the power of left-leaning media conglomerates to undermine conservative leadership.