White House Blocks Access for Reporters From CNN, MS NOW and Politico
A threat announced by the White House just one day earlier became a reality Saturday morning, when journalists from several major news organizations discovered that their credentials no longer granted them access to the presidential complex.
Reporters from CNN, MS NOW and Politico were denied entry to the White House grounds after President Donald Trump announced that the outlets would be banned “effective immediately,” citing what he described as “Fake News.”
CNN senior White House correspondent Betsy Klein said she attempted to enter the White House on Saturday morning but was informed that her permanent press credential had been deactivated.
According to Klein, a Secret Service agent confiscated her press badge at the entrance and directed her to the White House press office when she asked about the reason for the change.
CNN confirmed that its reporters had been denied access and said its journalists would continue covering the federal government despite the restrictions on their physical access to government facilities.
The move marks a significant change from the initial announcement, turning the White House’s warning into a direct restriction on journalists’ access to the presidential complex.