Reporters from three news outlets were denied entry to the White House complex. The outlets are challenging the restriction in court, alleging it targets their coverage and was imposed without due process. The case could influence how administrations control press access.
USA TODAY First Amendment reporting fellow BrieAnna Frank said the outlets can continue reporting and may have other sources, but being unable to see events inside firsthand makes it harder to report what happens there. The outlets argue the spaces are nonpublic forums, where government restrictions must be viewpoint-neutral and reasonable. Their complaints cite President Trump's remarks calling them “fake news” and expressing displeasure with their coverage; a court would have to agree that those spaces carry the legal requirements the outlets cite.
The outlets are seeking to have this specific restriction lifted, although administrations retain some discretion over press access. Frank said losing in court could give Trump more latitude to choose which outlets access him; he suggested last week that additional restrictions could follow. In a separate Associated Press case, an appeals court said the president had greater discretion over access to personal workspaces such as the Oval Office and Air Force One, but that the AP should be granted access to larger areas such as the Press Briefing Room.
