White House excludes CNN from presidential travel pool

The White House has once again barred CNN from participating in the television pool for President Donald Trump’s upcoming travels to Texas and Oklahoma. This marks the second time in a week that the network has been excluded from pool duties, following a similar incident during a trip to Tennessee.

The exclusion comes despite a recent federal district court ruling that overturned the administration’s attempt to ban access for CNN, MS Now, and Politico, citing First Amendment protections. While the court had ordered the restoration of credentials, the administration has continued to restrict CNN’s participation in presidential travel coverage.

In response to the exclusion, major news networks have declined to use footage from Real America’s Voice, which was designated as the sole pooler for the trip. Other primary pool members have also refused to substitute for CNN, potentially leaving the multi-state tour without primary pool video coverage. Legal representatives for the affected media outlets have petitioned the court to extend the existing order invalidating the administration's access ban.