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The US Department of Justice has submitted a formal response to a federal court in Washington regarding the ban on journalists from “CNN,” “MS NOW” and “Politico” entering the White House.
Operative Information Center-OMM reports that foreign media outlets covered the issue.
The document filed in the court case says that working inside the White House complex is a privilege granted by the government, rather than an absolute constitutional right. The department argued that President Donald Trump has the authority to regulate and restrict media access to areas with heightened security measures, such as the Oval Office, in order to protect the confidentiality of national security information.
The document states: “At a minimum, the government may control journalists’ access to restricted areas related to presidential activities, such as the Oval Office, even for reasons that are discriminatory based on viewpoint.”
According to the department’s position, President Trump determined that the three media organizations were engaged in reporting activities that posed a direct threat to national security. The materials submitted to the court also included warning letters previously sent to the outlets.
According to the allegations, reports by “CNN” about plans to build a “top-secret” bunker beneath the White House dining room and possible attacks on Iran, investigations by “MS NOW” into tensions with Iran and information leaks, and articles by “Politico” concerning the dining room, Iran and sanctions imposed on Russia created national security risks. The Department of Justice presented the letters as evidence that the media organizations had been warned in advance and that their procedural rights had not been violated.
It may be recalled that President Donald Trump posted a statement on social media on Sept. 18, alleging that “CNN,” “MS NOW” and “Politico” were spreading fake news and announcing that their access to the White House had been immediately banned.
The media organizations challenged the decision in federal court, arguing that it violated press freedom protected by the First Amendment. In protest, “ABC,” “CBS,” “Fox News,” “NBC” and other leading news networks decided to stop joint television pool broadcasts from the White House.
