White House bans CNN from Air Force One trip despite court ruling

The White House said Friday it would block CNN from flying on Air Force One to Knoxville, Tennessee, on Saturday. No replacement network was named, leaving the trip without TV pool coverage.

• 5 networks — CNN, ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox News — share rotating White House TV pool duties.
• 14 days: the length of US District Judge Tim Kelly's temporary block on the outlet ban.
• CNN was also barred from Air Force One during Trump's UN General Assembly trip last week.
• Thursday: CNN journalists were still denied White House entry despite the judge's order.

Why it matters: The TV pool is the primary mechanism by which pooled presidential video reaches broadcasters worldwide. When it goes dark, no network footage of the president is available.

• The other four pool networks previously refused pool duties in solidarity until CNN's access was restored.

How 49 sources split on this story

Where they split: The dispute turns on whether Judge Kelly's credential-restoration order covers White House pool assignments specifically, or only hard-pass access to the grounds.

What’s next: CNN, MS NOW, and Politico must file for a preliminary injunction by Monday.

• The White House had not responded to requests for comment as of publication.
• Will the other four pool networks again decline pool duties in response to CNN's exclusion?
• Does the judge's 14-day credential order legally compel the White House to include CNN in pool rotations?
• How will the court rule on the preliminary injunction filed by CNN, MS NOW, and Politico?