The Trump administration told a federal court it lawfully revoked White House press credentials for CNN, MS NOW and Politico, arguing the outlets published falsehoods and sensitive information that endangered national security. The three organizations filed a joint lawsuit seeking immediate restoration of access, claiming violations of the First and Fifth Amendments. Other media showed solidarity by pausing coverage, while the White House defended the decision on social media.
White House Revokes CNN, MS NOW and Politico Credentials, Citing National Security Concerns
(Alex WROBLEWSKI / AFP via Getty Images)
The Trump administration told a federal court on Tuesday that three major news organizations—CNN, MS NOW and Politico—posed a threat to national security and violated journalistic standards, defending its decision to revoke their White House press credentials.
What the Administration Told the Court
In a court filing responding to a lawsuit filed Monday, government lawyers argued that removing access was lawful and reiterated the administration’s position that "access to the White House is a privilege, not a right." The filing accused the outlets of "trafficking in verifiable falsehoods" and of publishing sensitive or classified material that jeopardized national security.
"Access to the White House is a privilege, not a right," the filing stated.
The submission included letters from the White House press office to the organizations, flagging specific news items that raised concerns. The communications cited reporting on U.S. munitions stockpiles, analysis of the war with Iran and coverage of White House construction projects—including a CNN report about a secure underground facility beneath the East Wing and a Politico piece that suggested the Iran war left the U.S. vulnerable.
What the Lawsuit Alleges
CNN, MS NOW and Politico filed a joint lawsuit seeking an emergency order to restore their White House credentials. The complaint names President Donald Trump, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, White House Communications Director Steven Cheung and Secret Service Director Sean Curran as defendants in their official capacities.
Individual reporters named as plaintiffs include Akayla Gardner (MS NOW), Betsy Klein (CNN) and Cheyenne Haslett (Politico). The suit alleges the credential revocations violated First Amendment protections for a free press and the Fifth Amendment’s due-process guarantees.
Legal Context and Reactions
Government lawyers acknowledged that federal law generally does not prohibit journalists from publishing classified information that they lawfully obtain, a point that figures in the legal debate. The news organizations said their credentials were revoked "because it objected to our reporting," warning that the move threatens press freedom and the public’s right to independent journalism if left unchecked.
Other media organizations expressed solidarity by temporarily halting video and photo coverage of the president. On social media, President Trump defended the decision on Truth Social, denying it was an assault on press freedom and calling the media "corrupt, purposeful, pervasive, fully coordinated, and totally out of control." CNN, MS NOW, Politico and the White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment early Wednesday.
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