Trump’s media ban takes effect as CNN, MS NOW journalists turned away

CNN reporter Betsy Klein was denied access at the White House on Saturday morning and her press pass was seized, a day after President Donald Trump announced he was “banning” CNN, MS NOW and Politico, according to CNN.

A reporter and photographer for MS NOW were also turned away from the White House grounds on arrival. Both networks said they would pursue legal action.

“CNN journalists were denied access to the White House grounds… this ban is an illegal assault on this fundamental right,” CNN said in a statement, citing constitutional protections.

Klein said a Secret Service agent told her that her press pass had been deactivated, with no further explanation offered.

First Amendment experts, including Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press president Bruce D. Brown, called the move unconstitutional, describing it as “textbook viewpoint discrimination.”

Trump made the announcement Friday, citing complaints about “fake” news coverage.