White House says no journalist has a right to Oval Office or Air Force One access
The White HouseWhite House official, in a statement to MS NOW
Responding to the amended lawsuit, a White House official told MS NOW that no journalist has a constitutional right to access the Oval Office, Air Force One or other sensitive and private facilities.
“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.”
Reporting
Reporting
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
Reporting
About this source
MS NOW report on the amended complaint, with a White House official's statement to MS NOW and the Justice Department's decision not to comment.
Reporting
About this source
CNN report on the amended complaint, with the network's count of its Air Force One pool exclusions and a White House official's response to CNN.
Before the quotation
MS NOW asked the White House about the amended complaint, in which CNN, MS NOW and Politico challenge their exclusion from the Oval Office, Air Force One and pool assignments.
After the quotation
MS NOW reports that the Justice Department declined to comment. A White House official separately told CNN that the outlets have no place demanding a spot in the Oval Office.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
Relative to the White House ban on CNN, MS NOW and Politico, the official defends the continued exclusions from the Oval Office and Air Force One by denying that journalists have a right to that access.
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More from this case
Read the full caseSchiff 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
Fallow says the White House cannot punish critical coverage
“The White House cannot decide what information Americans receive by punishing critical reporting”Read statement
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The Dispute Index. "White House says no journalist has a right to Oval Office or Air Force One access". First published: 2026-10-30. Last updated: 2026-10-30. https://disputeindex.com/events/7231-responding-to-the-amended-lawsuit-a-white-house