President Donald Trump has said he will prohibit reporters from CNN and Politico from entering the White House, continuing a confrontational approach to news organisations that has characterised much of his political career.
The president’s statement did not include detailed information about how the ban would be implemented or when it would take effect. It also left unclear whether the measure would apply to credentialed journalists, specific correspondents, or to broader organisational access to briefings and events.
Trump’s tensions with the media predate his presidency and have included repeated public criticism of outlets he views as unfavourable, along with accusations that some reporting is “fake news.” Administration control over press access has long been a sensitive area, and moves to restrict particular organisations tend to draw scrutiny from press freedom advocates and legal experts.
Banning outlets from the White House would be notable for its potential impact on daily presidential coverage and for the broader debate it could prompt about the balance between White House security and the public’s right to information. It was not immediately clear what administrative steps, if any, would follow the president’s announcement or how affected organisations would respond.
The situation is likely to prompt renewed attention from media organisations, civil liberties groups and legal observers concerned about precedent and the enforcement of access rules at the seat of the US executive branch. Any formal changes to accreditation or briefing access would typically involve White House press office procedures and, potentially, legal challenges.