President Donald Trump banned CNN, MS NOW, and Politico from the White House on Friday. Mike Waltz called this decision spot on during a Sunday interview on CNN. Journalists from these three outlets lost their access passes on Saturday. NBC News reported that the ban happened one day after Trump announced it. Waltz, the Ambassador to the United Nations, defended the move on CNN's "State of the Union."
He said the president has the full right to limit who enters government facilities. Waltz argued this applies when journalists do not act in good faith. He cited a Supreme Court case called Zemel v. Rusk to back his point. Waltz noted he is not a lawyer but believes the president is correct. He told anchor Dana Bash that the press has a right to speak but not to enter any government building they want.
This isn't just about newsrooms. It is about who owns the White House. Waltz reminded viewers that the prior administration limited many right-wing journalists. He pointed out that some outlets use anonymous sources referencing people who are dead. MS NOW issued a statement saying they were denied access this morning. According to the outlet, the American people own the White House.
They stated the decisions inside are funded by our tax dollars. MS NOW stated it plans to employ every possible measure to protect its rights. Trump had earlier posted on Truth Social that he was banning these outlets. He said they were reporting fake news and fiction. He called MS NOW's Jake Traylor one of the worst in the business. He also told Politico that the outlet has been so wrong about everything.
Some lawmakers are pushing back against the ban. But the principle here is clear. You pay for the White House. You should not have to fund reporters who lie about your president. Waltz made it simple. You can publish as a free press.
But you do not have an inherent right to walk into Langley or the White House. Breitbart noted that Trump said other fake news outlets might follow this ban. The administration is not asking for permission. It is enforcing a standard. If reporters stop lying, they can come back. Until then, the doors stay shut. This protects the integrity of the office you work to support.