Major television networks have halted primary pool coverage of President Donald Trump in a coordinated protest after the White House barred CNN from its scheduled rotation. The move leaves the president’s trip to New York on Monday without standard television pool documentation.
CNN was slated to serve as the pool network for the visit, but the White House released a revised schedule late Sunday removing the outlet. The decision followed Trump’s announcement on Friday banning CNN, Politico, and MS NOW from White House access, citing negative coverage.
The five networks comprising the TV pool — CNN, Fox News, ABC, NBC, and CBS — confirmed they would not provide replacement pool coverage while the restrictions remain in effect. “This is to advise that, effective today, the TV pool will not be covering events designated as pool coverage of the president,” read a message from Fox News Washington Bureau Chief Brian Boughton, who currently chairs the pool. “This follows the White House’s position preventing CNN from fulfilling its assigned pool duties. There will be no replacement pool put in place.”
Boughton added that all other pool operations, including coverage of Congress, VIPs, and selected events nationwide, would continue as normal. The boycott coincides with a high-stakes diplomatic week: Trump is scheduled to address the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday and host Chinese President Xi Jinping for a state dinner later in the week.
In a joint statement, the five pool networks declared: “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.” The pool system rotates responsibilities and costs among networks to distribute video and audio to other outlets, particularly where physical access is limited.
Earlier Monday, CNN, Politico, and MS NOW filed a lawsuit against Trump and administration officials alleging First Amendment retaliation and due process violations. The suit seeks the immediate restoration of press credentials and access. Print and radio pool coverage is expected to continue unaffected, along with secondary television pool arrangements.
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