WHCA slams Trump after CNN, Politico and MS NOW ban as White House press feud explodes

WASHINGTON, DC: The White House press corps is pushing back after a dramatic showdown at the gates of the presidential complex on Saturday, September 19.

Reporters from CNN, Politico, and MS NOW were turned away after President Donald Trump announced that the three outlets would no longer have access.

Hours later, White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) President Jacqui Heinrich took the fight further, warning that the decision could set a precedent affecting news organizations far beyond those named in Trump’s ban.

WHCA slams Trump's press ban

In a statement released after the journalists lost their access, Heinrich argued that the administration's decision crossed a constitutional line.

She said revoking access from reporters at CNN, Politico, and MS NOW “violates the First Amendment” and urged the White House to reverse the decision.

But her biggest warning was about what could happen next.

Heinrich argued that using a news outlet's coverage as the basis for excluding its journalists could create a standard that is later applied to other organizations.

In other words, the WHCA says the dispute should not be viewed as a fight involving only three particular newsrooms.

Her statement also highlighted the issue from the audience's perspective.

Heinrich said Americans need an independent press capable of examining the actions of whoever holds political power, whether officials approve of the resulting coverage or not.

She further pointed to court decisions concerning presidential press access, arguing that once the White House opens access to journalists, it cannot simply withdraw it arbitrarily or because it dislikes their reporting.

The WHCA is now calling for the affected reporters to have their access restored.

White House blocks reporters

CNN senior White House reporter Betsy Klein, on Saturday, reported from outside the complex after her access was revoked.

MS NOW correspondent Akayla Gardner likewise went on air after being stopped from entering.

Gardner said an officer told her the badge had been disabled and then took it from her.

Politico's Cheyenne Haslett was also refused entry, with the outlet saying the Secret Service confiscated her White House pass.

The scenes came less than a day after Trump announced the ban.

In his Friday announcement, Trump accused CNN, MS NOW, and Politico of what he described as “Fake News” coverage and said other outlets could face similar treatment. 

WHCA had immediately released a statement after Trump's announcement and accused the president of singling out reporters for doing their jobs.