Politics · United States · 14 hrs ago
US Justice Department investigates networks over White House coverage pause
The US Justice Department is investigating ABC, CBS, CNN, NBC and Fox News over a brief pause in their shared coverage of President Donald Trump.
The networks operate a White House television press pool, taking turns covering events and sharing footage with other outlets.
In September, Trump barred CNN, Politico and MS NOW from the White House, and CNN was also shut out of the pool.
The other pool networks joined CNN in suspending coverage for several days.
The Justice Department is examining whether this joint action violated the Sherman Act, a federal antitrust law that can apply to group boycotts by commercial competitors.
A federal judge later ordered the White House to restore the three outlets’ credentials, though disputes over access to some events continued.
The investigation is ongoing, and the Justice Department has not said whether it will bring a case.
The U.S. Justice Department is investigating whether five television networks violated federal antitrust laws by suspending White House pool coverage.
The networks suspended coverage in September after the White House barred CNN, Politico and MS NOW from its grounds.
The investigation concerns the networks’ shared television pool, which rotates coverage duties and distributes footage to other outlets.
Justice Department officials contacted networks on October 9 and demanded communications and other materials related to the pool, according to people cited by the Straits Times.
The networks said their suspension was in solidarity with colleagues and that the public has an interest in independent information about government.
- Who
- The Justice Department is investigating ABC, CBS, CNN, NBC and Fox News.
- What
- It is examining whether the networks’ suspension of White House television pool coverage violated federal antitrust laws.
- When
- The investigation was reported on October 11, 2026; officials contacted networks on October 9, according to the Straits Times.
- Where
- The White House television press pool in Washington, D.C.
- Why
- The networks suspended coverage after the White House barred news organizations including CNN, Politico and MS NOW from its grounds.
Justice Department
Television networks
Antitrust concerns
Justice Department
Group boycotts among commercial competitors can violate the Sherman Act, the Justice Department said.
Television networks
The networks said they suspended coverage in solidarity after CNN was excluded from the pool.
Press access
Justice Department
The department is investigating whether the networks violated antitrust laws.
Television networks
The networks said the public has a vital interest in accurate, independent information and that no administration should restrict a news organization over its reporting.
Group boycotts among commercial competitors can violate the Sherman Act.
The Antitrust Division is simply investigating to determine whether these news organizations have violated the antitrust laws.
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 White House barred CNN, Politico and MS NOW from its grounds; sources differ on whether the action occurred on Sept. 18 or Sept. 19.
The other members of the television pool announced they would suspend participation, according to Deadline.
The White House reinstated the outlets’ credentials after a federal judge ruled the ban was likely unconstitutional and ordered their access restored.
Justice Department officials contacted networks and demanded communications and materials related to the television pool, according to people cited by the Straits Times.
Justice Department spokesperson Emily Covington issued a statement about the investigation.
- Networks under investigation
- ABC, CBS, CNN, NBC and Fox News
- Pool suspension
- About four days, according to Deadline
- Officials’ contact with networks
- October 9, 2026
- Justice Department spokesperson
- Emily Covington
- Relevant antitrust law
- Sherman Act
Sources
US justice department investigates TV networks over Trump pool coverage
US opens antitrust probe into TV networks halting Trump coverage
US justice department investigating TV networks over Trump pool coverage
DOJ Launches Investigation Of Networks For Suspending TV Pool Amid Trump’s Ban On CNN
Justice Department Investigating TV Networks Over Decision to Suspend Press Pool
U.S. Justice Department probes TV networks over Trump pool coverage
US Justice Department is investigating TV networks over Trump pool coverage
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