The US Justice Department has cited national security as the reason for denying several news outlets access to the White House, Interfax reports. The explanation was given in response to the exclusion of those media organizations from presidential coverage.
The development comes amid a broader standoff between the White House and television networks. According to Meduza, the White House launched "Trump TV," a round-the-clock channel focused on the US president, after broadcasters boycotted events. Эксперт reported that the White House television pool boycotted events featuring Donald Trump.
Coverage of the dispute has framed it as a confrontation between Trump and the press. BBC asked whether Trump is at war with the press, while Независимая газета described the president as having entered a conflict with journalists. The exact outlets affected and the specific security grounds cited were not detailed in the available reporting.
The episode adds to a running dispute over press credentials and access to presidential events. Interfax's report places the Justice Department's national security rationale at the center of the administration's position, though the department's full reasoning has not been made public in the material available.
What to watch next: whether the excluded outlets challenge the decision, and whether the White House restores or further restricts press access.
