Politico Blocked From Air Force One Press Pool

Politico was blocked from the Air Force One press pool on Monday, the White House confirmed through its actions. The outlet had been scheduled to serve as the out-of-town print pool reporter for President Donald Trump's trip to Nebraska, a Politico spokesperson told TheWrap.

The exclusion underscores the limits of a recent court victory for Politico, CNN and MS NOW. Those outlets regained access to White House grounds last month after a judge ordered their credentials restored. But the administration has continued restricting them from limited-capacity events, including Air Force One. The White House has repeatedly blocked CNN from the plane when it was the television pool representative, TheWrap reported.

U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly's temporary order applies to the White House complex, but the administration argues it does not extend to spaces like Air Force One or the Oval Office.

"The judge basically ordered them to renew their access back to the White House, but that's different than allowing the pool into the events in the Oval Office or on Air Force One," White House communications director Steven Cheung said last week, per CNN.

The White House offered Politico's seat to other news organizations that rotate through the traveling print pool, but several declined to take the assignment, CNN reported. Sunday night guidance to the press corps did not list any outlets traveling with the president.

Politico's exclusion will likely be part of the next legal filing by the three outlets, CNN further reported. Kelly is scheduled for a hearing Thursday on their request for a preliminary injunction that would prevent the administration from reinstating a broader access ban.

"The law is absolutely clear. The harm to our clients, the First Amendment, and the public as a whole is profound," Ted Boutrous, an attorney for the outlets, said in a prior statement. "It is critical that the White House is enjoined to keep this unconstitutional ban on the free press out of commission."

Politico did not provide a new statement beyond confirming its exclusion, referring to its legal filings and Boutrous' comments. The White House did not immediately respond to TheWrap's request for comment. Trump is scheduled to travel to Nebraska later Monday for a campaign stop.

• Air Force One
• First Amendment
• Politico
• press pool
• Trump administration
• White House