Trump’s DOJ to investigate ABC, CBS, CNN, Fox News and NBC over White House press pool boycott
WASHINGTON, DC: The US Department of Justice on Saturday, October 10, announced that it would investigate ABC, CBS, CNN, Fox News and NBC over their decision to suspend television pool coverage of select White House events after the Trump administration restricted access for journalists from three news organizations.
The department said it was examining whether the networks’ coordinated response violated federal antitrust laws.
The investigation follows a dispute over press credentials that prompted a federal judge to temporarily block President Donald Trump’s restrictions on CNN, Politico and MS NOW.
DOJ investigates ABC, CBS, CNN, Fox News and NBC
Justice Department spokesperson Emily Covington confirmed the investigation, pointing to the networks’ decision to withhold coverage in response to the administration’s actions.
“Members of the television press pool have proudly boycotted covering White House events. Group boycotts among commercial competitors can violate the Sherman Act,” Covington said in a statement.
“The Antitrust Division is simply investigating to determine whether these news organizations have violated the antitrust laws.”
🚨 BREAKING: DOJ is officially investigating ABC, CBS, CNN, NBC and Fox News for possibly violating federal ANTITRUST LAWS after they teamed up to BOYCOTT their pooled TV coverage of President Trump a couple weeks ago WOW! DOJ SPOKESWOMAN TO NYT: “Members of the television press pool have proudly boycotted covering White House events. Group boycotts among commercial competitors can violate the Sherman Act." "The Antitrust Division is simply investigating to determine whether these news organizations have violated the antitrust laws.” This comes after the White House blocked CNN from its pool assignment in late-September Instead of sending a replacement, all five networks agreed together to stop covering Trump's movements. IN UNISON. Outlets like @RealAmVoice stepped up to provide video when they did not. Of course, the boycott did NOT last long 😅
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) October 10, 2026
The New York Times first reported the investigation, stating that the news organizations had been contacted on Friday, October 9, about suspending their televised press pool coverage. The report cited six sources.
The five organizations make up the primary White House television pool.
They share the costs of covering the president, take turns arranging coverage and distribute footage to other news outlets across the country and internationally.
After CNN was removed from the rotation, ABC, CBS, Fox News and NBC declined to replace the network, suspending pooled coverage in solidarity.
As a result, cameras were unavailable to provide footage of some White House events, including Chinese President Xi Jinping’s arrival. However, the television press pool resumed full coverage on September 25.
The DOJ investigation adds a potential legal dispute to the administration’s broader conflict with major news organizations. Trump has repeatedly criticized media coverage and accused outlets of publishing false or negative reports.
Trump faces legal challenges over White House press access
The dispute began in September, when the White House restricted access for reporters from CNN, Politico and MS NOW following Trump’s accusations about their “fake” coverage.
The three organizations sued the administration, arguing that the restrictions violated their constitutional rights to free speech and a free press, as well as their due process rights.
Q: You posted that you intend to ban CNN, Politico, and MS Now from the White House. Every president takes an oath to uphold the Constitution, which includes the First Amendment. How do you justify this? TRUMP: Because they're fake news. There may be others to join them. https://t.co/PORNe4RPYO
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) September 18, 2026
US District Judge Timothy Kelly ruled that the revocation of the journalists’ credentials likely violated their constitutional due process rights and ordered the administration to restore their access.
Kelly also questioned the administration’s national security justification, noting that Trump had linked the restrictions to what he alleged was false or negative reporting.
🚨 BREAKING: A federal judge has ordered the White House to IMMEDIATELY restore the press credentials of CNN, MS NOW, and POLITICO reporters after President Trump barred the outlets from the White House. U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly granted a 14-day temporary restraining order, finding the news organizations are likely to succeed on their claim that their hard passes were revoked without constitutionally adequate due process. The judge also rejected the administration’s national-security justification at this stage, writing that the record contains little factual support showing the credential revocations would protect national security.
— MeidasTouch (@MeidasTouch) September 24, 2026
Although the White House subsequently reinstated the journalists’ credentials, disputes over access to specific locations and presidential events continued.
The administration has argued that restored credentials do not guarantee access to every location, including the Oval Office or Air Force One.
