A fight over access
Attorneys for CNN, MS NOW and Politico were back in federal court in Washington on Thursday, asking a judge to keep the Trump administration's ban on their reporters from taking effect while the case continues. The three outlets were removed from White House press areas this year. A judge has already paused the ban once, and the outlets now want that protection to last through the trial.
The news organisations say the ban is retaliation for coverage the president dislikes. They argue that barring reporters from briefings, the press pool and other working areas breaks the First Amendment and long-standing rules on how the White House press corps is organised.
What the government says
Government lawyers say the White House has the right to decide who uses its facilities, and that press access is a privilege rather than a right. They describe the changes as a reasonable way to manage a crowded briefing room and to give other outlets a turn in the pool.
Press freedom groups have warned that limiting access to the president's working area makes it harder for the public to learn what the government is doing. They point out that pool reports and briefing questions reach far more people than the reporters who ask them.
Wider legal battles
The case is one of several disputes between the administration and news organisations. Other outlets have challenged rules on pool rotations and the handling of press credentials. Judges have issued mixed rulings, and both sides expect appeals.
The timing adds weight to the fight. The midterm elections are set for November 3, and campaigns are entering their final weeks. Rules that shape daily coverage of the president could affect what voters see in that period. A ruling in the case is expected in the coming weeks.