President Donald Trump has followed through on his Friday threat to ban disfavored outlets from the White House.
MS NOW says that its journalists were denied entry to the White House Saturday morning, and had their press badges taken away from them. Correspondent Akayla Gardner told the channel that when she was entering the facility through the security office, her badge did not work, and the channel’s photographer’s badge did not work (though her producer’s badge did work, sparking some confusion).
“When I was inside where we have magnetometers, I attempted to scan my badge, which we have to do to get into the White House grounds. It did not work,” she said. “There was a red beeping light, and so the officer asked me to hand over my badge. He said that it was disabled. I asked why I could not get inside; he said it was above him.”
The ban came without rhyme or reason, aside from Trump expressing consternation over coverage and threatening further bans against other networks.
“Earlier this morning, MS NOW journalists were denied access to the White House grounds,” an MS NOW spokesperson says. “The White House belongs to the American people and the decisions made inside are funded by our tax dollars. MS NOW intends to take any and all steps necessary to defend our First Amendment rights and the essential role of independent journalism in our democracy. We stand firmly behind our anchors, our reporters, and our newsroom. We will continue to report on the President, the administration, and the issues that impact the American people.”
CNN was also denied entry.
“Early today, CNN journalists were denied access to the White House grounds. CNN’s mission to report on the U.S. government will continue regardless of any attempts to restrict physical access to the White House and other government buildings, or any other attempts to impede our journalism. We have a right under the U.S. Constitution to do our reporting without hindrance or interference from the government and this ban is an illegal assault on this fundamental right,” says a CNN spokesperson. “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 stands fully behind our White House team.”
Later on Saturday, senior White House correspondent and Fox News co-host Jacqui Heinrich shared her reaction to the news on X.
“Today’s action revoking access for journalists from CNN, POLITICO, and MSNOW violates the First Amendment,” she wrote. “The implications extend beyond these organizations: a standard used to exclude one news outlet because of its coverage could be applied to any outlet in the future. The American people, through a free and independent press, must be able to scrutinize those elected to power, regardless of whether government officials view it favorably. That’s why courts have repeatedly held that once the White House provides access to journalists, it cannot deny that access arbitrarily or based on the content of their reporting. The WHCA calls on the administration to immediately restore our colleagues’ access.”
Credentialed journalists have long been afforded access to the White House complex, including “Pebble Beach,” located beyond the main security building, where TV networks broadcast their live reports, as well as the press facilities in the West Wing, including the Brady Briefing Room.
Sept. 19, 11:55 a.m. This story has been updated to include Jacqui Heinrich’s post.