White House bars Politico from Air Force One before court hearing
The White House kept Politico off Air Force One for President Trump's Nebraska trip Monday, extending a ban on outlets it accuses of false coverage. Politico, CNN and MS NOW are suing. A federal judge holds a hearing Thursday on whether to block the ban while the case goes on.
The White House removed Politico from the small group of reporters who travel with President Donald Trump on Air Force One for his trip to Nebraska on Monday. A Politico spokesperson confirmed the move. The White House could not find a replacement print reporter, NBC News reported, and The Washington Post's Katherine Doyle sat in a backup seat.
It is the latest step in a fight over press access. On Sept. 18, Trump announced he would bar Politico, CNN and MS NOW from the press pool, accusing them of "FICTION and LIES." CNN was kept off a trip to Texas and Oklahoma last week. The banned outlets sued on Sept. 21.
U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly, a Trump nominee, issued a temporary order on Sept. 24 that lasts 14 days. The outlets have asked him to extend it. Justice Department lawyers argued in a filing Saturday that access to the president's plane is a privilege, not a right. Kelly will hold a hearing Thursday on whether to issue a longer-lasting order while the case continues.
"The law is absolutely clear," media lawyer Ted Boutrous told CNN. The White House has said that a spot in the pool is "a privilege not a right."
Other newsrooms have taken sides. Fox News, ABC, CBS and NBC earlier declined pool duties in support of the barred outlets, NBC News reports. ABC suspended its coverage, the Washington Examiner reports. The White House Correspondents' Association, the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press and 49 other groups filed a brief backing the outlets. The Associated Press has its own lawsuit over access still underway.
The press pool is a small, rotating group of reporters who cover the president up close and share notes with other newsrooms. CBS has been sharing its notes with the correspondents' association during the dispute, NBC News reports.
The dispute comes as Trump steps up attacks on the press. He recently said New York Times journalists "should be arrested" over their coverage of a crowd at his Ohio rally, the Examiner reports.
What we know: A judge hears arguments Thursday on blocking the ban.
What we don't: How he will rule, and whether the White House will appeal.
Where outlets agree NBC News, CNN and the Washington Examiner all report that Politico was kept off Air Force One on Monday while its lawsuit against the ban is pending.
Where they differ The White House says a seat in the press pool is a privilege it can take away, while the outlets argue the ban punishes them for their coverage and breaks the law.