US Department of Justice argues that Trump can veto journalists from the White House

US Department of Justice cites 'reporting incidents' and argues that Trump can veto journalists from the White House

North American president engages in controversy with the press after banning three vehicles. A hearing in the US Courts this Wednesday (23) analyzes a lawsuit filed by journalistic outlets against the Trump administration.

The United States Department of Justice stated on Tuesday (22) that President Donald Trump has the power to veto access to the White House for CNN and MS NOW channels and the Politico website, one day before a court hearing on the case.

The three media outlets denounced Trump's order to court, which last week banned his journalists from entering the presidential residence as punishment for publishing what he considers "fake news".

A North American district judge called a hearing for this Wednesday (23) to analyze the action.

In a document filed with the court, the Justice Department argued that Trump can "control reporters' access to restricted presidential areas, such as the Oval Office."

"Access to the White House is a privilege, not a right," he added, echoing a statement from Trump himself on the case.

The court document states that letters explaining the president's reasons for the ban were sent on Tuesday to news outlets. Companies have until Friday (25) to submit objections.

The letters mention several "reporting incidents" by the outlets that "threatened national security and spread falsehoods," according to the document. It was not yet known until the last update of this report whether these incidents were specified or whether they are a reference to the "fake news" mentioned by Trump.

The letter sent to CNN International cited a report about Trump's plans to build a bunker under the East Wing ballroom, currently under construction, which revealed "'top secret' construction details", in addition to several articles about the war in Iran, according to the broadcaster.

On Saturday, a ban on access to journalists from the three media outlets was implemented and their credentials were confiscated.

In their joint action, CNN, MS NOW and Politico requested the urgent suspension of the presidential veto and claimed that the measure violates the First Amendment of the United States Constitution, which guarantees freedom of the press.

"This ban could not be a more direct attack on the First Amendment, nor a more flagrant violation of our most fundamental constitutional principles," the news companies said in the brief filed with the court.

Trump's attacks on journalists are not new. The Republican attacks reporters who criticize his administration and calls the press "the enemy of the people."

The veto coincides with a time when its approval ratings are at a low ebb and the Republican Party faces the risk of losing control of Congress in November's mid-term legislative elections.