News outlets sue Trump administration over White House access ban

Three news organizations banned from the White House by President Donald Trump's administration have filed a lawsuit seeking to restore their access, according to court filings.

CNN, MS Now and Politico filed the complaint in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, alleging that the administration violated the First Amendment and due process protections by stripping the outlets of their White House access. The outlets characterized the move as retaliation for coverage the administration disliked.

The ban, which took effect last Friday, prompted several US television networks to suspend their White House pool coverage in protest, according to reports. Pool coverage arrangements typically allow a rotating group of journalists to cover events with limited space, such as those inside the Oval Office, with material then shared among other news organizations.

Separately, Trump commented that he believed he would probably lose the case, according to remarks reported at the time, in which he also referenced the judge assigned to the lawsuit.

The case adds to a series of legal and public disputes between the Trump administration and major US news organizations over access and coverage. The outcome of the lawsuit could have implications for how future administrations manage press access to the White House.

Neither the White House nor representatives for the three news organizations have provided additional public comment beyond the filings and statements referenced in the case.