DOJ defends Trump’s ban on CNN, MS NOW and Politico, saying White House access is a privilege

The U.S. Department of Justice urged a federal judge late Tuesday not to block Donald Trump’s Friday ban on MS NOW, CNN and Politico from the White House, arguing access is “a privilege — not a right” and that Trump acted on national security grounds. In a filing ahead of Wednesday’s teleconference before Judge Timothy Kelly, the DOJ said Trump found the outlets reported classified or sensitive information and that reporters have no First Amendment right to White House grounds. The outlets, suing Monday, say the ban is viewpoint discrimination; the DOJ disputed that in its filing to Kelly, a Trump appointee.