World · World News Bureau
US Justice Department seeks to reinstate Trump media outlet ban
The Trump administration's Justice Department has asked a federal judge to permit the reinstatement of a ban on press credentials for several major news organizations. The action marks an escalation in tensions between the incoming administration and media outlets that have faced criticism from the president-elect.
LSN World News ·
The Department of Justice filed a request with the court seeking authorization to revoke press access for Cable News Network, MSNBC and Politico, according to court documents reviewed by news outlets. The move comes as the incoming Trump administration prepares to take office and signals a more confrontational stance toward certain members of the press corps.
The request indicates the administration intends to restrict media access based on coverage decisions made by the outlets. Officials have not publicly detailed the specific grounds for seeking credential revocation, though Trump has repeatedly criticized major news organizations as adversarial during his recent campaign.
The action requires judicial approval before implementation. Legal experts have previously noted that credential revocation for news organizations raises significant First Amendment considerations, though courts have occasionally upheld restrictions on access to specific facilities or events on security or other grounds.
The request represents one of the opening moves in what appears to be an adversarial relationship between the incoming administration and segments of the mainstream media. Trump has previously sought to restrict press access during his first term, with varying degrees of judicial success.