Attorney General Blanche Defends White House Press Restrictions

Attorney General Todd Blanche defended the Trump administration's decision to cut off White House access for three major news organizations, arguing in a Sunday television interview that access is "a privilege" rather than a right.

The administration last week moved to strip White House credentials from CNN, MS NOW and Politico. Within a day, U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly issued a temporary restraining order requiring the credentials to be restored. Journalists from the outlets returned to the grounds that Thursday, and pool coverage resumed on Friday.

Blanche's argument

Speaking with ABC's "This Week," Blanche disputed the idea that the president had denied anyone access. He said the outlets had failed to report accurately and suggested this raised national security concerns, but he did not offer specific examples of stories when pressed. He also said decisions about who flies on Air Force One are routinely made by the White House.

Judge Kelly, in granting the restraining order, voiced skepticism that national security was the real motive, noting that the president's own announcement focused on the accuracy and tone of the coverage rather than any security threat.

A dispute that is far from over

The fight spilled over into the weekend, when CNN was not allowed aboard Air Force One for the president's trip to a college football game in Tennessee, even though it was scheduled to serve in the rotating TV pool. The president has said the decision reflects frustration built up over two years of coverage.

The legal case brought by the news organizations is ongoing, and press freedom advocates are watching closely to see how far courts will allow the White House to control which reporters cover the president.

Sources: ABC News