CNN, Politico and MS NOW plan to sue the Trump administration over ban on White House coverage

News outlets CNN, Politico and MS NOW plan to file a lawsuit Monday against the Trump administration after President Donald Trump banned them from covering the White House.

The president announced the ban Friday on Truth Social, citing what he said was “their constant ‘reporting’ FAKE NEWS!”

In a joint statement on social media, the three outlets said they notified the administration Monday that they were filing the suit “to protect our First Amendment rights and defend the principle that the government does not decide what the press reports or publishes.”

“Without notice or process, the White House revoked our journalists’ credentials because it objected to our reporting,” the statement continued. “Left unchallenged, this threatens press freedom and the public’s right to independent journalism free from government interference.”

The White House did not immediately respond to NBC News’ request for comment on the lawsuit.

Trump has targeted journalists and outlets he dislikes, but the ban is the most extreme instance so far of the president’s push to hinder press access.

Secret Service members turned away reporters from CNN, MS NOW and Politico from White House grounds and revoked their passes Saturday, prompting backlash from experts and the White House Correspondents’…

Original source: https://www.nbcnews.com/business