A reporter and a photojournalist from both MS NOW and CNN were denied access to the White House on Saturday, and their press credentials were confiscated by the U.S. Secret Service.
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The journalists were stopped at a security gate outside the West Wing, according to MS NOW. The incident followed President Donald Trump’s announcement Friday that he was barring MS NOW, CNN and Politico from the White House, accusing the outlets of publishing what he called false and fabricated reporting.
Both networks vow to defend First Amendment rights
In a statement, MS NOW said its journalists had been denied access to White House grounds and vowed to challenge the move.
“The White House belongs to the American people, and the decisions made inside are funded by our tax dollars,” the network said. “MS NOW intends to take any and all steps necessary to defend our First Amendment rights and the essential role of independent journalism in our democracy.”
The network said it stood behind its journalists and would continue covering the president, his administration and issues affecting the public.
On Saturday, CNN said they will continue to report on the U.S. government, “regardless of any attempts to restrict physical access to the White House and other government buildings.”
Trump announced the ban Friday in a post on Truth Social, accusing the three outlets of constantly “‘reporting’ FAKE NEWS!” He did not cite specific examples of coverage he considered false.
Trump also threatened to target additional news organizations, writing that other outlets would follow.
CNN called the move an “illegal assault” on the First Amendment, saying the government has no right to prevent its journalists from reporting on the administration. The network said it stood behind its White House team and its reporting.
Following the announcement, Aaron Terr, director of public advocacy at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, told Straight Arrow News that the White House must comply with the First Amendment.
“The public deserves to hear about its government from independent voices, not just its leader’s loyalists and allies,” Terr said.
Past White House battles with the press
In 2025, the White House restricted access for Associated Press reporters after the news organization declined to adopt Trump’s preferred name for the Gulf of Mexico. The AP sued, arguing the restrictions violated its First Amendment rights. A federal judge ruled the government could not deny access based on viewpoint, though an appeals court later paused most of that order while the case continued.
The administration also faced legal challenges over restrictions on Pentagon press access. In March, a federal judge blocked enforcement of the Defense Department’s policy requiring credentialed reporters to agree not to gather or report information that had not been formally authorized for release.
Poll shows support for freedom of the press
The latest White House action comes as Americans express broad support for press freedom but differ on its limits. A Pew Research Center survey conducted in June found 73% of U.S. adults consider press freedom extremely or very important to society. At the same time, 53% said preventing inaccurate reporting is more important than protecting press freedom when the two conflict.
The survey also found 44% of Americans believe the press has become less free during Trump’s second administration, compared with 12% who said it has become more free.
