The White House television pool, comprising members from FOX News Media, ABC News, CBS News, CNN, and NBC News, announced on Monday the suspension of their pooled coverage of President Donald Trump. The decision follows the president’s exclusion of CNN, MS NOW, and Politico, which he accused of publishing ‘fake news.’

Monday was CNN’s designated day to serve as the White House pool representative. Traditionally, these media outlets rotate in covering the president and sharing any footage. In a joint statement, the pool members emphasized, ‘The public has a vital interest in receiving accurate, independent information about its government. No administration should restrict a news organization because it objects to its reporting.’

TRUMP ANNOUNCES WHITE HOUSE BAN AGAINST THREE MEDIA OUTLETS

The White House’s decision arose shortly after CNN, MS NOW, and Politico declared plans to file a lawsuit against the administration’s attempted ban. Their joint statement explained their legal action, stating, ‘This morning, we notified the government that we are filing a lawsuit today to protect our First Amendment rights and defend the principle that the government does not decide what the press reports or publishes.’ The statement continued, ‘Without notice or process, the White House revoked our journalists’ credentials because it objected to our reporting. Left unchallenged, this threatens press freedom and the public’s right to independent journalism free from government interference.’

President Trump addressed the situation on Truth Social, claiming the action was not an attack on the free press. He posted, ‘The White House is not instituting an assault on the Free Press, something which I cherish. It is instituting an assault on the FAKE NEWS, which is corrupt, purposeful, pervasive, fully coordinated, and out of control. It poses a threat to our National Security and must be stopped.’

Previous efforts by the Trump administration to ban certain media outlets and journalists have been overturned by federal judges. This story is still developing.