The Justice Department said late Tuesday that CNN, MS NOW and Politico can be shut out from areas of the White House at the president’s will. The lawyers argue that the outlets’ coverage of the Iran war and of President Donald Tump’s ballroom construction could amount to a national security risk that justifies the ban.
A court filing from the Trump administration late Tuesday night argues “access to the White House is a privilege, not a right,” despite First Amendment protections for press freedom.
The filing also argues Trump can control private areas of the White House to protect national security information that may be inside the complex. This is the argument the President has made before with the Pentagon lockdown.
“At the very least, the Government may control reporters’ access to restricted presidential areas, such as the Oval Office, even for viewpoint-discriminatory reasons,” the Justice Department wrote to the court.
“The President has found that Plaintiffs have engaged in a number of reporting incidents that have threatened national security. Such reporting directly raises national security concerns.”
Today, federal judge Timothy Kelly in Washington, DC, will hold an emergency hearing. CNN, MS NOW and Politico are asking for the court to immediately restore their access to the White House. The filing might change things.