From NBC News · Alexandra Marquez · · 1m 50s
Trump bans three news outlets from White House
Senator Barrasso defends the ban as constitutional while press freedom advocates and news organizations push back hard.
In brief
Senator Barrasso defends the ban as constitutional while press freedom advocates and news organizations push back hard. Trump barred Politico, MS NOW, and CNN from White House coverage, claiming unfair reporting. Legal experts and the outlets themselves say it violates the First Amendment. Originally reported by NBC…
Trump bars three news outlets
President Trump banned Politico, MS NOW, and CNN from White House coverage on Saturday, citing constant fake news reporting. Journalists were turned away at security and had credentials revoked.
“Media Outlets shouldn't be able to constantly write or report FICTION and LIES”
Barrasso says it's constitutional
Sen. John Barrasso told NBC News the ban doesn't violate the Constitution, saying the press has an obligation to report fairly. He compared it to Trump being banned from Twitter and Facebook.
“He was banned from Twitter. He was banned from Facebook, and I didn't see people come to his defense.”
Legal experts disagree sharply
Gabe Rottman, vice president of policy for the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, said the ban is illegal. He warned it's designed to intimidate the press into self-censorship.
“In a word, no.”
News outlets vow to fight back
Politico, CNN, and MS NOW all pledged to defend their First Amendment rights and continue covering the White House. CNN called the ban an illegal assault on fundamental constitutional protections.
“We will vigorously defend our First Amendment rights against any attempt to restrict them.”
White House Correspondents Association objects
The group representing White House reporters said the Constitution protects press freedom regardless of whether the president likes coverage. The protection doesn't depend on his approval of reporting.
“The Constitution protects the freedom of the press from government interference.”
Democrat senator calls it unconstitutional
Sen. Cory Booker said the ban clearly violates the First Amendment. He accused Trump of having no regard for the amendment and going after reporters.
“This president has no regard for the First Amendment.”
Barrasso downplays election impact
Barrasso said the ban won't affect midterm elections 44 days away. Voters will decide based on their lives and futures, not White House press access, he argued.
“People are going to go to the voting booth. They're going to make a decision based on their life, their future.”
The essence
Trump barred Politico, MS NOW, and CNN from White House coverage, claiming unfair reporting. Legal experts and the outlets themselves say it violates the First Amendment.
