Reporters on the call were instructed to attribute the information to a “senior administration official,” the Post reported, citing an invitation and a recording it reviewed. The Justice Department has defended the exclusion of Politico, CNN and MS NOW on national security grounds, arguing in a Tuesday court filing that “access to the White House is a privilege, not a right.”
The three outlets sued the administration Monday to restore their access, alleging violations of their First Amendment rights. At a Wednesday hearing, Judge Timothy Kelly said the White House had not provided appropriate due process before revoking access. The required process “wasn’t played out here,” he said.