MS NOW, CNN, and Politico have filed a federal lawsuit against President Donald Trump and White House officials, challenging the administration’s decision to revoke the journalists’ press credentials. The legal action marks a significant escalation in the ongoing tensions between the president and major national media outlets.
Filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, the suit alleges that the revocations were a direct violation of the First Amendment. The organizations argued that the government cannot strip press credentials based solely on content objections without providing notice or due process.
“This morning, we notified the government that we are filing a lawsuit today to protect our First Amendment rights and defend the principle that the government does not decide what the press reports or publishes,” the three outlets stated. They added that the lack of warning or process threatens both press freedom and the public’s right to independent journalism.
The plaintiffs are seeking a court order to immediately restore their credentials and to prevent officials from imposing further bans on their staff at White House newsgathering locations. In their filing, they described the move as “a more direct assault on the First Amendment” and asserted that the Constitution protects the liberty and property interests associated with press credentials.
The case draws attention to historical precedent from 2018, when the first Trump administration temporarily banned CNN’s Jim Acosta from White House grounds following a physical altercation with a staffer. A federal judge then ordered the temporary restoration of Acosta’s credentials, and the White House eventually dropped the matter.
This lawsuit adds to a growing array of legal disputes between the federal government and the media. In August, Disney’s ABC filed a separate First Amendment lawsuit against the Federal Communications Commission, contesting administrative pressure regarding license renewals.
The news organizations contended that the president’s actions were “patently unconstitutional” and requested an immediate injunction. Variety has contacted the White House for comment.
Finally, some accountability. You can’t silence reporters just because you dont like their coverage.
Wonder if this will end up at the Supreme Court again. These precedents are getting complicated.
Does the government really have the legal right to revoke credentials based on content? Seems unconstitutional on its face.
Jim Acosta was just the warm-up. The White House is really pushing the envelope now.
This feels like a serious test of press freedom. I hope the courts stand firm on due process.