Following President Donald Trump’s announced ban on CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House, Jacqui Heinrich, White House Correspondents’ Association president and Fox News reporter, pushed back, saying that this is about “the rights of journalists” and “of the American people.” 

"I am proud to announce that, effective immediately, I am banning Fake News CNN, MSNOW [...], and Politico [...] from the White House as a result of their constant 'reporting' FAKE NEWS!" Trump posted on Truth Social earlier Friday. 

"Media Outlets shouldn’t be able to constantly write or report FICTION and LIES when they’re covering the President of the United States, the Trump Administration, or the United States of America. Other Fake News Media Outlets to follow," he added.

This was Heinrich’s full statement in response: 

“The president said it plainly in the Oval Office, describing his own planned action as a ‘ban on the free press.’

The Constitution protects the freedom of the press from government interference. That protection does not depend on whether the president likes a news organization’s coverage, agrees with its reporting, or approves of the questions its journalists ask.

This is about more than the rights of journalists. It is about the right of the American people to receive a full and independent account of the activities, policies and decisions of whoever occupies the nation’s highest office.

The WHCA stands in defense of our colleagues at CNN, MSNOW, and Politico who are being singled out for doing their jobs.”