The Justice Department says it is investigating whether the White House press pool’s decision violated antitrust laws. Published October 11, 2026 October 11, 2026 The US Department of Justice has opened an investigation into television networks’ decision to suspend coverage of President Donald Trump last month. including CNN. Recommended stories list of 4 articlesend of list The networks under investigation are ABC, CBS, CNN, NBC and Fox News, said Emily Convington, a spokeswoman for the Justice Department. “Group boycotts among business competitors can violate the Sherman Act,” he said of antitrust legislation. “The Antitrust Division is simply investigating to determine whether these news organizations have violated antitrust laws.” Trump Administration and Major News Organizations. Trump has repeatedly called the mainstream media “fake news” and frequently clashes with reporters during press meetings. The move also puts legal and potentially financial pressure on the media to continue covering the president even when they disagree with how the White House is handling them. Covering the president was a “privilege, not a right.” The media sued the administration, alleging that the exclusions violated the First Amendment and that the White House was retaliating for its coverage. CNN is one of five news organizations, along with ABC, CBS, Fox News and NBC, that make up the White House’s primary television group. They share the costs of covering the president, take turns organizing the coverage and share the images with media outlets across the country. The five television networks covering the White House, including Fox News, suspended coverage in solidarity and refused to provide replacement coverage. The White House reinstated the credentials on September 24 after U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly ruled the ban was likely unconstitutional and “ordered” the administration to “immediately return, reinstate, and restore” their access. However, disputes continued over access to specific presidential events and common assignments. José Zamora, director of the Committee to Protect Journalists in the Americas, criticized the administration’s decision on Saturday. investigate. “The government should not use antitrust investigations to intimidate media outlets that defend press access,” Zamora said in X. “The public’s right to know depends on that access.”
