News organizations including CNN, MSNBC and Politico have filed a lawsuit against U.S. President Donald Trump and members of his administration, alleging that restrictions on access to the White House grounds violate First Amendment protections for freedom of speech and the press.
The organizations have asked a federal court in Washington, D.C., to block the restrictions, with an emergency hearing expected this week.
The lawsuit follows Trump’s decision to restrict access, which he said was aimed at media outlets he accused of spreading “fake news” and posing a national security threat. The organizations said the restrictions could undermine press freedom and the public’s access to independent journalism.
CNN is part of the five-member White House television news pool, alongside ABC, CBS, Fox News and NBC, which coordinates presidential coverage and shares footage among participating media outlets.
