"The American people, through a free and independent press, must be given the opportunity to scrutinize them with power, regardless of whether government officials see it as something positive or not," writes the WHCA press corps, and continues:
“WHCA demands that the administration immediately grant access to our colleagues.”
The criticism came after the affected media companies MS NOW, formerly MSNBC, and CNN and their White House reporters were denied access to the White House on Saturday morning. About an hour later, Politico also announced that it had been stopped.
“Unlawful attack”
MS NOW reporter Akayla Gardner said on air that she had to surrender her accreditation badge at security. A photographer was also stopped. CNN's Betsy Klein was similarly handled by guards, as was Politico's Cheyenne Haslett.
CNN suggests in a statement that legal action will be taken.
"We have the right under the US Constitution to report without hindrance or interference from the government, and this ban is an illegal attack on this fundamental right," the media company writes.
MS NOW and Politico also say in statements that the companies are acting to protect their constitutional rights.
Donald Trump announced on Friday that MS NOW, CNN and Politico are being removed from the White House as he believes the media companies' reporting is based on inaccuracies - "fake news".
“Protects freedom of the press”
WHCA chairwoman, Fox News reporter Jacqui Heinrich, emphasized in an earlier statement on X Trump's own words on Friday about the measure, which he called a "ban on the free press."
“The Constitution protects freedom of the press from government interference. This protection does not depend on whether the president likes a news organization’s coverage, agrees with its reporting, or approves of the questions its journalists ask,” she wrote.
Bruce D Brown, chairman of the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, which provides legal support to journalists, tells CNN that the porting is "completely unconstitutional" and that Trump's order will be "struck down" if it is challenged in court.
