DOJ defends Trump media ban, citing national security and "professionalism"

The Justice Department claimed that reporting from CNN, MS NOW and Politico raises national security concerns and accused their journalists of failing to act with "professionalism and decorum." Washington — Justice Department lawyers on Tuesday defended President Trump's move to bar three news outlets from the White House over coverage of his administration, arguing that their reporting raises national security concerns and claiming their journalists failed to act with "professionalism and decorum." In a filing with a federal district court in Washington, D.C., the Trump administration argued the president's ban of CNN, MS NOW and Politico is legally sound. Reporters from those news organizations were stripped of their press credentials, also called "hard passes," denying them access to the White House grounds.

"Access to the White House is a privilege, not a right," Justice Department lawyers wrote. The Trump administration argued the president's ban complies with the First Amendment, because the government has at least two "compelling reasons" for denying the reporters' access: enforcing "minimum standards of professionalism" for the press and protecting classified information. "The President believes basic journalistic standards require calling, asking for comment, and providing a reasonable opportunity for a response," they said. "At a bare minimum, it is a significant violation of decorum to publish classified and sensitive national security information." The Justice Department also submitted