Boutrous criticizes repeated workarounds to press-access rulings
Theodore J. Boutrous Jr.Lawyer representing the news organizations in the press-access litigation
Boutrous says that after courts rule against a press restriction, the administration looks for another way to reach the same goal, which he describes as squelching independent, fact-based journalism.
“they then look for some other maneuver to try to achieve the same objective, which is squelching independent, fact-based journalism.”
Interview
Other statements by Theodore J. Boutrous Jr. in this case
Every statement by Theodore J. Boutrous Jr.
Where this statement fits
Should President Trump bar CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House over their coverage?
On Friday, September 18, 2026, President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that, "effective immediately, I am banning" CNN, MS NOW and Politico "from the White House as a result of their constant 'reporting' FAKE NEWS!" About an hour later, in the Oval Office, he said no particular story prompted the decision, that he does not want the outlets "in my office," and that "somebody has a right to keep them away" if outlets write false stories. The three outlets and press-freedom groups oppose the exclusion, citing constitutional protection for the press, and the White House Correspondents' Association said it "stands in defense of our colleagues at CNN, MSNOW, and POLITICO." On Saturday, September 19, MS NOW, CNN and Politico said their White House reporters were refused entry and had press passes confiscated; the White House referred questions to Trump's earlier remarks. The dispute is over whether President Trump should exclude named news organizations from White House access over what they report.
Source and context
Interview
About this source
CJR reports its interview with Boutrous about the continuing White House restrictions and litigation. The exact interview date is not stated.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Before the quotation
CJR describes pool exclusions while a restraining order was in place, then quotes Boutrous criticizing repeated workarounds.
After the quotation
Boutrous also describes the government's lawyers as collegial and cooperative despite their clients' public rhetoric.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
The reference point is the White House restrictions on the three news outlets. Boutrous condemns continuing exclusions as pursuing the same objective after courts reject earlier restrictions.
- Recorded on
- Published here
More from this case
Read the full caseWhite House says no journalist has a right to Oval Office or Air Force One access
The White House
“No person and no journalist has a constitutional right to access to the President's Oval Office, Air Force One, or other sensitive and private facilities.”Read statement
Schiff says White House press exclusions also harm the public
“When a reporter is denied access to the White House, it isn't just that news organization that suffers. The American people rely on a free press to know what their government is up to, and whether it is acting wisely and lawfully.”Read statement
Jaffer calls the restrictions an attack on democratic foundations
“The president’s attack on the independence of the White House press corps should be understood in that light. It’s an attack on the foundations of our democracy.”Read statement
Share or embed this statement
The embed keeps its attribution link to The Dispute Index. Credit the image to The Dispute Index and link to the statement page.
Cite this record
- Publisher
- The Dispute Index
- Title
- Boutrous criticizes repeated workarounds to press-access rulings
- First published
- Last updated
- Permalink
- https://disputeindex.com/events/6058-boutrous-says-that-after-courts-rule-against-a
Last updated marks the most recent saved version of this published statement.
The Dispute Index. "Boutrous criticizes repeated workarounds to press-access rulings". First published: 2026-10-19. Last updated: 2026-10-19. https://disputeindex.com/events/6058-boutrous-says-that-after-courts-rule-against-a