Sen. Marco Rubio was photographed socializing with reporters from CNN, MSNBC and POLITICO at a New York reception about 48 hours after those outlets had their White House credentials revoked. POLITICO reporter Dasha Burns shared images of the encounter, which took place during events around the U.N. General Assembly. The three outlets filed a federal lawsuit on September 21 alleging the revocations violated the First and Fifth Amendments, and the television pool announced it would pause some presidential coverage after CNN was blocked from pool duties.
Senator Rubio Seen Mingling With Journalists From CNN, MSNBC And POLITICO Days After White House Ban
Secretary of State Marco Rubio was spotted speaking to members of the press from outlets banned from the White House by President Trump (AFP/Getty)
Sen. Marco Rubio was photographed chatting with reporters from several outlets that the White House had barred just days earlier, raising fresh questions about press access and the administration's relationship with the media.
What Happened
On Friday, the White House revoked credentials for reporters from CNN, MSNBC and POLITICO. Roughly 48 hours later, POLITICO reporter Dasha Burns posted a photo on X showing Sen. Rubio circulating among journalists at a reception in New York City—an event she said included reporters from the three organizations.
Trump described his ban as an 'assault on the FAKE NEWS' (AFP/Getty)
Event Context
Rubio attended a press reception hosted by Assistant Secretary of State for Global Public Affairs Dylan Johnson at The Kimberly Hotel in Midtown Manhattan to kick off the U.N. General Assembly high-level week, according to Burns. The senator delivered brief, unscripted remarks and spent time speaking with members of the press.
"Assistant Secretary of State for Global Public Affairs Dylan Johnson hosted a press reception at The Kimberly Hotel in Midtown New York last night to kick off the UNGA High‑level week," Burns wrote. "Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivered off‑the‑cuff remarks and mingled with the media."
Note: The event account and photographs were shared by reporters and news agencies; Burns' post on X is the primary public record of Rubio's interaction with journalists from the barred outlets.
Several journalists from CNN, MS NOW and POLITICO, including Akayla Gardner (pictured), had their access to the White House revoked on Saturday morning (Reuters)
Responses And Legal Action
On the "Today" show, Rubio said the decision to revoke White House credentials was made by the White House and not by him. "We haven't discussed it," he said. "This is a decision that the White House made about coverage in the White House. I'll do a press conference today and I imagine there'll be reporters there tomorrow and reporters there from every outlet. I don't ask them who they're with."
Earlier, CNN, MSNBC and POLITICO announced on September 21 that they had filed a federal lawsuit seeking to restore their reporters' White House access, arguing that the revocations violated the First Amendment and the Due Process Clause of the Fifth Amendment. The suit names former President Donald Trump, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, Communications Director Steven Cheung and Secret Service Director Sean Curran.
Impact On Pool Coverage
Amid the dispute, the television pool—which rotates coverage responsibilities among five networks to share costs and footage—said it would pause certain presidential pool coverage after CNN was prevented from fulfilling assigned duties. CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins shared a note to the pool stating: "Effective today, the TV pool will not be covering events designated as pool coverage of the President. This follows the White House's position preventing CNN from fulfilling its assigned pool duties."
Why It Matters
The episode underscores growing tensions between the administration and major news organizations over access and press freedoms. The lawsuit and the pause in pool coverage could affect how presidential events are covered and distributed, particularly during high-profile gatherings such as the U.N. General Assembly.
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