The five-network White House TV pool resumed coverage Friday, ending a suspension that began Monday when the other four networks declined to replace CNN after the administration barred it from the rotation. CNN regained access to the grounds Thursday.
The pool’s members are ABC News, CBS News, CNN, Fox News and NBC News. CNN was assigned Friday to cover President Donald Trump’s planned tour of the National Archives with Chinese President Xi Jinping, while CBS handled White House coverage. The Associated Press reported that the White House approved CNN’s credentials for the Archives event.
On Thursday, U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly ordered the administration to restore White House access to CNN, MS NOW and Politico as their lawsuit proceeds. His 14-day temporary restraining order did not address CNN’s place in the pool. Reporters from the outlets were initially turned away that morning despite the order, then allowed back around noon. That night, CNN said its reporter and producer were denied access to Xi’s state dinner, while a photojournalist and audio technician were admitted; MS NOW correspondent Laura Barrón-López was also denied entry.
