White House Denies Entry to Reporters From MS NOW, CNN and Politico
Wertynews.com – Reporters from MS NOW, CNN and Politico were denied access to the White House on Saturday morning after President Trump announced that the three news organizations would be barred from the property.
The action followed comments by Mr. Trump on Friday, when he said he was frustrated by what he described as “fake news” from the outlets. He did not identify particular articles or broadcasts that prompted the decision. In a separate exchange, he said he objected to what he called a dishonest press.
Press Credentials Disabled and Collected
MS NOW White House reporter Akayla Gardner and a cameraman were turned away at about 8 a.m. Saturday. Their White House credentials had been revoked. Gardner said she learned her pass had been disabled when she attempted to enter through a security checkpoint. When she asked for an explanation, she said the guard told her the decision was beyond his authority.
CNN senior White House reporter Betsy Klein and a cameraman also attempted to enter the White House grounds Saturday. They later left without their badges.
Politico said White House reporter Cheyenne Haslett was stopped by the Secret Service that morning, denied entry and had her credential taken away.
News Organizations Promise a Response
MS NOW, previously known as MSNBC, said it would pursue every available avenue to protect press freedoms and independent reporting.
The White House belongs to the American people and the decisions made inside are funded by our tax dollars.
The organization said independent journalism remains essential to the country’s democratic system.
CNN said its coverage of the federal government would continue even if access to the White House or other government facilities is restricted. The network said it would keep examining the administration’s actions and procedures without yielding to pressure.
We will not be deflected from our duty to hold the government and other public bodies to account, and we will continue to report on the actions and processes of this administration without fear or favor.
CNN also expressed support for its White House reporting staff.
Politico editor-in-chief Jonathan Greenberger told employees that the publication stood behind Haslett and every reporter assigned to cover the White House. He said the organization would actively protect its First Amendment rights.
Correspondents’ Association Objects to the Ban
Jacqui Heinrich, the Fox News reporter who leads the White House Correspondents’ Association, defended the journalists affected by the decision. She said the group supported colleagues at CNN, MS NOW and Politico who were being singled out while performing their reporting duties.
The dispute has immediate practical consequences for the affected outlets. White House access allows journalists to attend briefings, cover events, question officials and report from locations where presidential decisions are announced or explained. A revoked credential does not necessarily prevent a news organization from covering the administration, but it can limit direct access to events and officials.
As of Saturday morning, Mr. Trump had also warned that other media organizations could face similar restrictions, though no additional bans had been announced.
A Continuing Clash Over Press Access
The conflict is part of a longer history of disputes between Mr. Trump and news organizations. During his first term, the White House sought to revoke the press pass of then-CNN correspondent Jim Acosta following a contentious interaction with the president. CNN brought a legal challenge, and a federal judge ordered the credential restored.
More recently, the administration moved to block the Associated Press from White House coverage after the organization declined to call the Gulf of Mexico the “Gulf of America.” The Associated Press sued, arguing that the restriction violated First Amendment protections.
In April 2025, a federal judge ruled that the White House had to restore the Associated Press’ access to presidential spaces. A federal appeals court later allowed the administration to keep the outlet out of smaller restricted areas for the time being. That case remains unresolved.
First Amendment Questions Remain
Legal contributor Jessica Levinson said the newest restrictions raise serious constitutional concerns because they appear tied to the content of news coverage.
That’s the primary thing that the First Amendment guards against.
The First Amendment protects freedom of the press, but disputes over White House credentials often involve difficult questions about security, access rules and whether government officials can exclude journalists based on editorial decisions. Courts reviewing such cases have examined whether restrictions are applied fairly and whether they unlawfully target particular viewpoints.
For now, the exclusion of MS NOW, CNN and Politico personnel adds another chapter to the administration’s confrontations with the press. The news organizations have made clear that they intend to continue their White House coverage while challenging any restrictions they believe infringe on the rights of journalists and the public’s ability to scrutinize government.
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