US Justice Department Defends Trump’s Power to Restrict White House Press Access

The US Department of Justice has argued that President Donald Trump has broad authority to restrict journalists’ access to the White House, as a legal battle over press freedom intensifies.

In a court filing, Justice Department lawyers defended Trump’s decision to bar reporters from CNN, MS NOW and Politico, arguing that access to the White House is a privilege rather than a constitutional right.

The administration says the restrictions are justified by concerns over national security, classified information and journalistic professionalism. It specifically cited reporting related to the Iran war and construction of Trump’s White House ballroom.

The three media organisations have challenged the ban in federal court, arguing that the decision violates their First Amendment rights and amounts to retaliation for reporting critical of the administration.

The dispute is expected to test the limits of presidential authority over media access and the protections afforded to journalists under the US Constitution. A federal judge is scheduled to hear the case.