CNN, MS NOW and Politico Amend Lawsuit Over Air Force One and Oval Office Access

CNN, MS NOW, and Politico have filed an amended lawsuit against Donald Trump, challenging the continued exclusion of their reporters from pool duties on Air Force One and inside the Oval Office. This legal update follows a prior ruling by U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly, who concluded that the administration's broader ban on the outlets entering White House grounds likely violated due process and First Amendment rights, issuing a preliminary injunction that the administration is currently appealing.

Amended Complaint Details

In the amended legal filing, the news organizations argue that despite the previous court order, the administration continues to restrict them from travel and press availabilities. The outlets contend that these ongoing exclusions reflect an unstated policy to enforce the president's directive regarding viewpoint-discriminatory actions. According to the complaint, the media groups argue that spaces like Air Force One function as non-public forums during press events, where the government cannot impose restrictions based on viewpoint once access is granted to other reporters.

• Plaintiffs' Stance: The outlets state they do not claim an unrestricted right of entry, but argue that once the White House opens these spaces to selected journalists, it cannot exclude specific organizations due to unfavorable coverage.
• Legal Representation: Lead attorney Theodore Boutrous Jr. stated that the White House continues to violate constitutional rights by keeping these organizations out of key engagement areas, which he claims is intended to punish and chill coverage.

White House Response

A White House official defended the administration's position in response to the amended lawsuit, asserting that no individual or journalist possesses a constitutional right to access the Oval Office, Air Force One, or other secure facilities. The official stated that publications can write their reports from outside these secure facilities, alleging that publications fabricate and ignore the truth.

Verification and Next Steps

Legal proceedings regarding the administration's appeal and the newly amended complaint remain ongoing in federal court. Readers seeking to verify the original legal filings can review the public court documents filed by CNN, MS NOW, and Politico through federal court docket records or legal reporting platforms.