CNN Threatens Further Legal Action Over Continued Air Force One Access Denials
CNN warns of new legal action against the White House as journalists remain barred from Air Force One travel despite a recent federal court injunction.
POLICY WIRE — Washington, D.C. — CNN is preparing for potential new legal battles with the White House, citing the administration’s ongoing refusal to grant the network access to Air Force One and the rotating press pool that accompanies President Donald Trump on official travel.
This latest dispute follows a month of heightened tensions after the president revoked press credentials for CNN, MS NOW, and Politico, labeling their reporting as fake news. While a federal judge recently issued a preliminary injunction against the initial White House grounds ban, the network argues that the administration is now selectively blocking its participation in travel coverage.
In a letter addressed to Justice Department attorney Michael K. Velchik, CNN attorney Theodore J. Boutrous Jr. emphasized that the network has maintained uninterrupted access to presidential travel for 45 years. Boutrous asserted that these spaces belong to the American public rather than any specific administration, and warned that if the exclusion persists, the network is prepared to return to court to defend its First Amendment rights.
The White House has reportedly denied CNN access to the presidential aircraft on at least four separate occasions, including trips to the U.N. General Assembly, Tennessee, Texas, Oklahoma, Georgia, and Florida. Despite the legal pressure, the administration has provided no formal explanation for the continued exclusion, prompting CNN to set a two-day deadline for a response before pursuing further litigation.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
