From NBC News · Raquel Coronell Uribe · · 3m
White House bars CNN from Trump's Texas trip
The administration removes CNN from press pool coverage despite a federal judge blocking its broader media ban.
In brief
The administration removes CNN from press pool coverage despite a federal judge blocking its broader media ban. The White House removed CNN from covering Trump's trip to Texas and Oklahoma on Thursday, defying a federal judge's order that halted the administration's attempt to ban the network from White House grounds…
CNN removed from Trump's pool
The White House removed CNN from the press pool covering President Donald Trump's trip to Texas and Oklahoma on Thursday, escalating tensions with the cable network.
CNN was scheduled, then dropped
CNN had been designated to travel with Trump on Thursday according to a press rotation document released Sunday. But when daily guidance came out for his visit to a truck manufacturing facility in Denton, Texas, followed by remarks in Durant, Oklahoma, CNN was not listed.
Judge blocked broader media ban
The move comes less than a week after a federal judge halted Trump's effort to ban CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House. The judge's order was limited to media access on the White House grounds.
Air Force One exclusion last weekend
The White House barred CNN from flying on Air Force One over the weekend when Trump traveled to Tennessee, when the network was scheduled to provide pool coverage.
CNN calls it unconstitutional
Theodore Boutrous, attorney representing CNN, MS NOW and Politico, called the ban a blatant violation of the First Amendment and due process, saying the White House is inconsistently implementing an unconstitutional ban on the free press.
“a blatant violation of the First Amendment and due process”
Pool system explained
The White House press pool is a group of media outlets that share video, editorial information and costs for coverage of high-profile officials and events. Designated poolers represent the wider press corps and serve as a conduit between the president and the public.
Networks briefly stood together
Fox News, ABC News, CBS News and NBC News briefly boycotted participating in pool duties last week in solidarity with CNN. The White House Correspondents' Association and 49 news organizations including NBCUniversal Media filed a legal brief supporting CNN, MS NOW and Politico.
History of Trump media restrictions
Trump has restricted access for other news outlets before. In twenty twenty five, he banned The Associated Press from the Oval Office, Air Force One and certain events for not referring to the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America. The AP sued and the case continues.
Legal challenge continues
CNN, MS NOW and Politico asked a federal judge on Monday to extend his pause on Trump's ban. The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment about CNN's exclusion from Thursday's trip.
In short
The White House removed CNN from covering Trump's trip to Texas and Oklahoma on Thursday, defying a federal judge's order that halted the administration's attempt to ban the network from White House grounds.
