US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz has defended President Donald Trump’s decision to bar CNN, MS NOW and Politico journalists from the White House, arguing that the president has the right to restrict access to government facilities when he believes news organisations are not acting as “good-faith journalists”.Waltz made the remarks on CNN’s “State of the Union” on Sunday, telling anchor Dana Bash that Trump was “absolutely within his rights” to limit journalists’ access to government facilities.Waltz cited a 1965 Supreme Court ruling, saying the right to publish does not automatically give journalists an unrestricted right to gather information.The comments came as the three news organisations prepare to challenge Trump’s decision in court. First Amendment groups and legal experts have argued that the ban could amount to viewpoint discrimination because Trump has openly criticised the outlets over what he considers negative coverage.Trump announced Friday that CNN, MS NOW and Politico would be barred from the White House, accusing them of repeatedly publishing what he called “FAKE NEWS”.He later said the decision was based on what he described as “cumulative stories over the last few years” and warned that other outlets could also face restrictions.
Republican senator backs Trump’s argument
Republican Sen. John Barrasso also defended Trump’s decision, saying the press has an obligation to report fairly.Appearing on NBC News’ “Meet the Press”, the Wyoming senator was asked whether Trump had violated the Constitution by banning journalists from the three outlets. Barrasso said he did not believe the president had done so.“He was banned from Twitter. He was banned from Facebook, and I didn’t see people come to his defense,” Barrasso said, referring to Trump’s previous social-media bans. “So it goes both ways.”Barrasso said that while Americans respect and value freedom of the press because it is protected by the Constitution, he believed journalists also had a responsibility to report fairly.When pressed again on whether Trump’s decision violated the First Amendment, he repeated that stance rather than directly answering the constitutional question.He also said the White House media restrictions would not affect Republicans in the upcoming midterm elections, arguing that voters would make their choices based on their lives, future and families.Democrats, press groups oppose banDemocrats and press freedom groups have criticised Trump’s move. Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, speaking on CNN’s “State of the Union,” said the president appeared to have “a real problem with the Constitution”.Democratic Sen. Cory Booker, who appeared on “Meet the Press” after Barrasso, said banning the outlets from the White House violated the First Amendment.The affected news organisations have said they intend to challenge the restrictions and continue covering the Trump administration.The White House Correspondents’ Association has also said the Constitution protects journalists from government interference regardless of whether the president agrees with their coverage.
