Why It Matters
CNN, MS NOW and Politico have broadened their lawsuit against President Donald Trump’s White House, alleging that administration actions restricting press-pool access violate the First and Fifth Amendments.
What Happened
The amended complaint challenges White House limits on the outlets’ participation in presidential press-pool assignments, including travel aboard Air Force One. The filing seeks a declaration that the restrictions and related actions are unlawful.
The outlets say the administration continued disrupting the press pool after the White House restored journalists’ press credentials late last month. CNN was barred from six scheduled Air Force One pool assignments after being designated the television network pooler.
Politico was excluded from two scheduled out-of-town pool assignments. MS NOW has not participated in the secondary television pool since September 18, when Trump announced the ban.
Ted Boutrous, representing the outlets, said the exclusions violate the First Amendment and due process. He also threatened additional legal action over restrictions affecting areas including Air Force One.
By the Numbers
- Three outlets: CNN, MS NOW and Politico are parties to the amended lawsuit.
- Six assignments: CNN says it was barred from that many scheduled Air Force One pool trips.
- Two assignments: Politico was excluded from two scheduled out-of-town pool duties.
- More than four decades: CNN has fulfilled the television pool role for that period.
- 97 percent: Nearly that share of Trump’s roughly 5,000 questions from reporters came in the Oval Office or during Air Force One travel.
Zoom Out
U.S. District Judge Timothy P. Kelly previously issued a temporary restraining order on Fifth Amendment grounds and later granted a preliminary injunction restoring the outlets’ White House access. Kelly found the ban likely violated the First Amendment.
The administration is appealing Kelly’s ruling. The case comes alongside a separate lawsuit by The Associated Press after Trump blocked its reporters from areas with limited press-pool space over the organization’s use of the name Gulf of Mexico.
An appeals court panel partially lifted The Associated Press’ stay in June 2025. That ruling was non-binding and non-precedential.
What’s Next
The amended lawsuit will proceed while the administration pursues its appeal. A White House official defended the administration’s position, saying, “the Fake News has no place demanding a spot in the President’s Oval Office.”
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