Trump Announces 'Ban on Entry' of Several Media Outlets Including Ofoq News to the White House.. The Network Responds

- U.S. President Donald Trump claimed on Friday that he is in the process of 'banning' Ofoq News, MS NOW, and Politico from entering the White House. Trump stated during remarks to reporters in the Oval Office that the decision is 'effective immediately,' but there were no indications that his administration had taken actual steps to implement it.

Ofoq News reporters remained in their designated workspaces in the White House, near the press conference room, at the time of this report. A team from Ofoq News was also accompanying Vice President JD Vance on Friday, as part of the television team assigned to cover his movements under the shared coverage system. For its part, Ofoq News stated in a statement: 'Ofoq News fully supports its team in the White House and their fair and accurate coverage. We have the right, under the U.S. Constitution, to conduct this coverage without obstruction or interference from the government, and if the ban threatened by President Trump is carried out, it would be an illegal assault on this fundamental and constitutionally protected right.' No immediate comment was made by MS NOW or Politico regarding Trump's claims.

Trump wrote on his platform 'Truth Social' that this 'ban' came 'as a result of their continued 'reporting' of fake news,' according to his claims. He added: 'The media should not be allowed to write or report fictional stories and lies continuously when covering the news of the President of the United States, or the Trump administration, or the United States of America. Other media outlets that publish fake news will follow.' In response to a request for comment on the U.S. President's post, the White House press office referred reporters to Trump's statements made in the Oval Office.

Trump mentioned in the Oval Office that he would justify banning the three news organizations from entering the White House - despite the First Amendment of the Constitution - by saying: 'Because they publish fake news.' He added: 'There is something wrong in a country that allows people to deliberately write negative stories. If they want to write them, that's fine; but I am not obligated to allow them to enter the people's house.' Trump also hinted at the possibility of banning more news organizations from the White House, saying: 'Others may join them...'

No specific action was mentioned to prevent these media organizations from entering the White House, nor did he refer to any specific news report that prompted him to make this statement on social media. When pressed about the timing and whether he had a specific reason for announcing these banning decisions on Friday, Trump replied: 'No, there is no reason.'

Trump had previously restricted Ofoq News' access to the White House. During Trump's first term, the White House revoked the press credentials of Jim Acosta - who was then serving as the network's chief White House correspondent - following a heated exchange with him during a press conference held in November 2018. Ofoq News filed a lawsuit, and a federal judge appointed by Trump ruled to temporarily restore Acosta's access, stating that the White House had violated due process rights. Ultimately, the White House permanently restored Acosta's credentials, leading Ofoq News to withdraw its lawsuit.

Trump's statement was met with criticism from press freedom advocates. Bruce DePuyt, president of the 'Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press,' stated in a statement: 'A ban like this is a blatant violation of the Constitution. The First Amendment clearly states that once the White House allows some journalists to enter, it cannot prevent others simply because it is dissatisfied with their coverage.' He added: 'This is a textbook example of viewpoint discrimination, and it will be swiftly overturned by the courts if challenged.'