CNN senior White House reporter Betsy Klein was denied access to the White House and had her press credentials seized Saturday, September 19, after President Donald Trump announced that CNN, MS NOW and Politico would be barred from the White House.
Klein said a Secret Service agent informed her that her press pass had been deactivated when she attempted to enter the White House grounds. A CNN cameraman accompanying her was also turned away. The incident came one day after Trump announced the restrictions, accusing the three news organizations of what he described as “fake news.”
The administration’s action also affected journalists from MS NOW and Politico. MS NOW correspondent Akayla Gardner and a photographer were denied access, while Politico White House reporter Cheyenne Haslett was also turned away and had her badge confiscated.
Trump defended the decision by saying he was dissatisfied with coverage from the targeted organizations. He also indicated that additional media outlets could face similar restrictions. The White House has not announced a specific end date for the ban.
The affected news organizations have said they intend to continue covering the administration and are considering legal action. CNN called the restriction an “illegal assault” on its constitutional rights, while MS NOW and Politico said they would defend their First Amendment rights.
The White House Correspondents’ Association has also objected to the restrictions, saying the removal of press access based on coverage raises broader concerns about journalists’ ability to scrutinize government officials. The dispute could ultimately become another legal test involving the First Amendment and access to government officials.
The confrontation adds to a continuing dispute between the Trump administration and several major news organizations over press access. The administration previously restricted Associated Press access after the organization declined to adopt the administration’s preferred name for the Gulf of Mexico, a decision that also led to ongoing litigation.
