Politics · United States · 2 hrs ago
CNN warns it may sue over Air Force One access ban
CNN warned the Justice Department it may return to court if the White House continues to keep its reporters off Air Force One.
A judge has ordered the administration to restore CNN’s broader White House access while a lawsuit over its ban on CNN, MS NOW and Politico proceeds.
The order did not settle access to Air Force One, a restricted space where the White House has continued to exclude CNN from presidential trips.
CNN says the exclusion has left some trips without a primary television pool reporter, even when CNN was assigned to cover them.
The dispute concerns whether the White House can choose which journalists enter restricted spaces; a separate case over the Associated Press’s access is still awaiting a decision from the full appeals court.
CNN’s lawyer argues that Air Force One and the Oval Office are now key places where Trump answers reporters’ questions, and says excluding CNN because of its coverage is unlawful.
CNN asked the Justice Department to confirm by Thursday that the exclusions will end, or it says it is prepared to seek further legal relief.
CNN says it may seek further court action if the White House continues to exclude its reporters from Air Force One.
The network’s attorney, Ted Boutrous, made the warning in a letter to the Justice Department on Monday.
CNN says it was assigned to out-of-town TV pool duty but was still blocked from presidential trips aboard Air Force One.
A judge recently ordered the restoration of White House access for CNN and other outlets while their lawsuit over a broader ban proceeds.
The White House has not provided CNN with written notice or an explanation for the Air Force One exclusions, according to Boutrous.
- Who
- CNN and its attorney Ted Boutrous are challenging the Trump White House’s restrictions.
- What
- CNN warned it may pursue further legal action if its reporters remain excluded from Air Force One.
- When
- The warning was made in a letter on Monday; the articles were published on October 20, 2026.
- Where
- Air Force One and other restricted White House spaces, including the Oval Office.
- Why
- CNN says the exclusions retaliate against and discriminate against the network because of its news coverage. The White House has not explained the recent Air Force One exclusions in writing, according to CNN’s attorney.
CNN
Trump White House
Aspect
CNN
CNN’s view
Trump White House
Trump White House’s view
Legality of excluding CNN
CNN
CNN says the restrictions are mistaken, counterproductive and unlawful.
Trump White House
The administration has defended its broader ban in court and is appealing a judge’s ruling; it has not stated its specific reasons for the recent Air Force One exclusions.
The Associated Press sued after the White House blocked its reporters from Air Force One, the Oval Office and other restricted areas.
Trump banned CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House, prompting the outlets to sue.
A federal judge issued a preliminary injunction in favor of CNN, MS NOW and Politico in their challenge to the ban.
CNN attorney Ted Boutrous sent a letter warning the Justice Department that CNN may seek further court action over the Air Force One exclusions.
- Letter date
- Monday, October 19, 2026
- Recipients
- Michael Velchik, Justice Department senior counsel representing the Trump administration
- TV pool
- CNN is one of five networks in the TV pool
- Questions cited by CNN
- More than 4,700 in the Oval Office, aboard Air Force One and on the tarmac
- Briefing-room appearances
- Trump appeared there four times through September 2026, according to Boutrous’s letter
- Tweeted locations
- 43 Oval Office press events and 51 question sessions aboard or around Air Force One through September 2026
3 sources
What people are saying
These efforts to retaliate and discriminate against CNN based on the content of its news coverage are mistaken, counterproductive, and unlawful
if these actions persist, CNN will have no choice but to return to the court to defend its rights, and it is prepared to fight as long as is necessary to secure them.