Trump bans three major news outlets

President Trump announced on Friday he was banning CNN, MS NOW, and Politico from the White House, citing negative coverage and false reporting about his administration.

Reporters blocked from White House grounds

On Saturday, journalists from all three outlets were denied access to White House grounds. MS NOW reporter Akayla Gardner said her badge was disabled, and CNN's Betsy Klein had her badge deactivated by a Secret Service agent.

Trump cites dishonest coverage

Trump said the outlets purposely write negative news to diminish Republicans and his administration. He told a Bloomberg reporter he dislikes dishonest press, though he cited no specific story that triggered the ban.

“They purposely write negative news, and they do that because they want to try and diminish the Republicans and a Republican administration.”

News outlets defend First Amendment rights

CNN, MS NOW, and Politico issued statements saying they have constitutional rights to report without government interference and will defend their ability to hold the administration accountable.

“The White House belongs to the American people and the decisions made inside are funded by our tax dollars.”

Legal experts call ban unconstitutional

Theodore Boutros, a leading First Amendment lawyer, told NPR the ban is unconstitutional on its face. The White House Correspondents' Association called on Trump to immediately restore access to the journalists.

Courts have sided with media before

Last year, Trump barred an Associated Press reporter over the Gulf of Mexico naming dispute. During his first term, he barred a CNN reporter. Courts backed the media both times, though the AP ruling is still being appealed.