Forty-nine media organizations filed a brief Sept. 23 backing CNN, MS NOW and Politico’s lawsuit over President Donald Trump’s White House access ban. The outlets seek a preliminary court order restoring their reporters’ access, with a hearing set hours later.
The brief argues that excluding outlets because of their perceived editorial viewpoint violates press rights and says the ban could discourage other news organizations from publishing coverage that might prompt similar sanctions. The 49 signers support the case but do not become parties to it.
CNN, MS NOW and Politico argue the ban violates their First Amendment right to a free press and due-process rights under the 14th Amendment. Justice Department lawyers contend the outlets fail basic “journalistic standards” and pose national-security threats because of their reporting on classified and sensitive information.
