Mike Waltz, US Ambassador to the UN, defended President Donald Trump's decision to ban CNN, MS NOW, and Politico journalists from the White House on Sunday, asserting that Trump is within his rights based on a 1965 Supreme Court ruling. Republican Senator John Barrasso echoed this stance, arguing that while press freedom is valued, journalists have an obligation to report fairly. In contrast, Democrats like Maryland Governor Wes Moore and Senator Cory Booker criticized the decision as unconstitutional, with affected outlets planning legal challenges.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-09-20,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
On September 25, US TV networks resumed coverage of President Donald Trump’s events at the White House after a judge ordered the administration to lift its ban on CNN, MS NOW, and Politico. The ban was imposed last week due to what Trump described as unfavorable press coverage. Despite the reinstatement, tensions remain high; the networks ceased filming White House events in solidarity with banned outlets earlier in the week, resulting in no pool footage during Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit on September 24-25. The court battle continues, and CNN was barred from traveling with Trump to Tennessee for a weekend trip, though reasons were not officially provided by the administration.
Written for “White House Press Access Controversy” on 2026-10-05,
grounded in this article and the 182 other(s) covering the same event.
US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz has defended President Donald Trump’s decision to bar CNN, MS NOW and Politico journalists from the White House, arguing that the president has the right to restrict access to government facilities when he believes news organisations are not acting as “good-faith journalists”.
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organisations → defend → journalists
Waltz made the remarks on CNN’s “State of the Union” on Sunday, telling anchor Dana Bash that Trump was “absolutely within his rights” to limit journalists’ access to government facilities.
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Trump → make → facilities
Waltz cited a 1965 Supreme Court ruling, saying the right to publish does not automatically give journalists an unrestricted right to gather information.
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right → cite → information
The comments came as the three news organisations prepare to challenge Trump’s decision in court.
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organisations → come → court
First Amendment groups and legal experts have argued that the ban could amount to viewpoint discrimination because Trump has openly criticised the outlets over what he considers negative coverage.
uncertain
he → argue → outlets
Trump announced Friday that CNN, MS NOW and Politico would be barred from the White House, accusing them of repeatedly publishing what he called “FAKE NEWS”.
He later said the decision was based on what he described as “cumulative stories over the last few years” and warned that other outlets could also face restrictions.
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outlets → announce → restrictions
Republican senator backs Trump’s argument
Republican Sen. John Barrasso also defended Trump’s decision, saying the press has an obligation to report fairly.
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press → back → obligation
Appearing on NBC News’ “Meet the Press”, the Wyoming senator was asked whether Trump had violated the Constitution by banning journalists from the three outlets.
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Trump → appear → outlets
Barrasso said he did not believe the president had done so.
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president → say → ?
“He was banned from Twitter.
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He → ban → Twitter
He was banned from Facebook, and I didn’t see people come to his defense,” Barrasso said, referring to Trump’s previous social-media bans.
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Barrasso → ban → bans
“So it goes both ways.”
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it → go → ?
Barrasso said that while Americans respect and value freedom of the press because it is protected by the Constitution, he believed journalists also had a responsibility to report fairly.
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journalists → say → responsibility
When pressed again on whether Trump's decision violated the First Amendment, he repeated that stance rather than directly answering the constitutional question.
He also said the White House media restrictions would not affect Republicans in the upcoming midterm elections, arguing that voters would make their choices based on their lives, future and families.
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voters → press → lives
Democrats, press groups oppose ban
Democrats and press freedom groups have criticised Trump's move.
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Democrats → oppose → move
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, speaking on CNN’s “State of the Union,” said the president appeared to have “a real problem with the Constitution”.
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president → speak → Constitution
Democratic Sen. Cory Booker, who appeared on “Meet the Press” after Barrasso, said banning the outlets from the White House violated the First Amendment.
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banning → appear → Amendment
The affected news organisations have said they intend to challenge the restrictions and continue covering the Trump administration.
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they → affect → administration
The White House Correspondents’ Association has also said the Constitution protects journalists from government interference regardless of whether the president agrees with their coverage.
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president → say → coverage
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