The US Department of Justice has launched an investigation into several television networks to determine if they violated federal competition laws. The inquiry centers on the decision by these networks to temporarily suspend pool coverage of President Donald Trump last month.
The suspension lasted for several days following the president's move to block CNN, MS Now, and Politico from the White House. A spokesperson for the Justice Department stated that the Antitrust Division is currently investigating whether these news organizations engaged in illegal business practices, noting that group boycotts among commercial competitors can violate the Sherman Act. This federal law is designed to prohibit companies from participating in monopolistic activities.
The tension began when the Trump administration barred CNN, MS Now, and Politico from the White House, claiming the outlets produced "fiction or lies" regarding his team. In response, the three organizations filed a lawsuit, arguing that the restricted access infringed upon their First Amendment rights. The First Amendment prohibits the government from "abridging" the freedom of the press, a principle courts have historically interpreted as preventing discrimination against media based on coverage content. A judge eventually ruled in favor of the outlets, and the White House subsequently reinstated their access.
The current investigation follows a series of administration actions involving news media. In February, the White House announced it would take control of the press pool, a role traditionally managed by the White House Correspondents' Association for over a century. Additionally, the administration attempted to bar Associated Press reporters and photographers from limited-access areas like the Oval Office and Air Force One, citing the outlet's use of the term "Gulf of Mexico" instead of "Gulf of America." That case remains ongoing following a lawsuit filed by the Associated Press.
