White House Blocks Entry to CNN, MS NOW and Politico Journalists Saturday

Journalists representing CNN, MS NOW, and POLITICO experienced the painful reality of restricted access when their press credentials were deactivated and they were prevented from entering the White House complex on Saturday, September 19, 2026, following a directive issued by President Donald Trump.

President Donald Trump's administration began enforcing restrictions against CNN, MS NOW, and Politico after the president determined these organizations would be barred from the White House campus, citing what he characterized as "constant reporting FAKE NEWS".

Security personnel and Secret Service officers compassionately but firmly deactivated and confiscated press badges as correspondents arrived for work on Saturday morning, an action that understandably prompted swift condemnation from press freedom advocates and legal experts who recognized it as unconstitutional.

As reporters arrived at the security gates on Saturday morning, they discovered their physical access had been revoked.

CNN Senior White House Reporter Betsy Klein found herself blocked at the checkpoint where a Secret Service agent confirmed her press pass had been deactivated and confiscated.

MS NOW Correspondent Akayla Gardner was asked by a security officer to surrender her badge because it had been disabled, with the officer acknowledging the directive came from above his authority.

Politico Reporter Cheyenne Haslett similarly faced denial of entry and had her pass confiscated upon arriving to cover the complex.

Media organizations and press associations understandably pushed back strongly against the administration's actions.

White House Correspondents' Association (WHCA) President Jacqui Heinrich released a statement via The Hill expressing concern about what she characterized as a direct violation of the First Amendment and urging the administration to immediately restore access for the affected journalists. CNN also stated that the network viewed the restriction as an "illegal assault" on the constitutional right to report without government interference.

The MS NOW Management conveyed through CNN Media that the White House is the rightful property of the American people, expressing their commitment to taking every necessary action to safeguard First Amendment protections. 

Additionally, Jonathan Greenberger, Global Editor-in-Chief of Politico Memo, shared in a newsroom communication reported by Politico that the organization deeply supports its team members and will passionately advocate for their right to report freely.