WASHINGTON, D.C. — One day after President Trump announced he was “banning” CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House over their coverage of him, journalists from those outlets were denied access to the grounds Saturday morning, with at least one reporter’s press credential seized.
In response, the Not Above the Law coalition’s co-chairs – Lisa Gilbert, Co-President of Public Citizen; Praveen Fernandes, Vice President of the Constitutional Accountability Center; Kelsey Herbert, Campaign Director at MoveOn; and Brett Edkins, Managing Director for Policy and Political Affairs at Stand Up America – released the following statement:
“The First Amendment has no exception for coverage a president dislikes. Trump hasn’t offered a legal justification for these bans, only political grievances. Retaliating against outlets for their reporting is unconstitutional, and everyone in this White House knows it. Rather than reckon with his approval hitting new lows and multiple policy failures, Trump is trying to silence the outlets reporting on it, the same play he’s run before.
“Congress and the courts must put an end to these attacks, protect the free press, and hold this administration accountable for its blatant, unconstitutional abuse of power. Today it’s CNN, MS NOW and Politico. Every other outlet should recognize that tomorrow it could be them.”
For questions about our work to hold Trump accountable or to request an interview with a Not Above the Law coalition leader, please email press@focalpointstrategygroup.com.