MS NOW and CNN says staffers were turned away from White House after Trump ban

Updated on: September 19, 2026 / 10:09 AM EDT / CBS News

MS NOW and CNN staffers were turned away from the White House on Saturday morning, the networks said, one day after President Trump said he was banning some outlets from the property.

CBS News observed an MS NOW correspondent and cameraman being turned away from the White House around 8 a.m. Saturday. Both had their hard passes revoked. The correspondent, Akayla Gardner, said on MS NOW she was told her pass was disabled when she tried to swipe in. She said when she asked why, the security guard said the matter was above him.

MS NOW, formerly known as MSNBC, said in a statement that it "intends to take any and all steps necessary to defend our First Amendment rights and the essential role of independent journalism in our democracy."

"The White House belongs to the American people and the decisions made inside are funded by our tax dollars," the news organization added.

CNN did not specify which journalists were turned away from the White House. The network said in a statement that its "mission to report on the U.S. government will continue regardless of any attempts to…

Original source: https://www.cbsnews.com/healthwatch/