Fox News commentator Sean Hannity said those assigned to cover Hillary Clinton’s campaign had failed to uphold the most basic requirements of their jobs. | Getty Hannity calls on Trump to freeze out the press

Fox News commentator Sean Hannity said that until journalists admit to colluding with Hillary Clinton’s campaign, President-elect Donald Trump should reconsider granting traditional access to reporters.

“Trump can do this and speak directly to you, the America people, without having his words twisted and taken out of context,” Hannity said on his Fox show Tuesday night, noting that the president-elect had put out a video announcing a plan for executive actions in his first 100 days in office. "Why not do that?”


Pointing to stolen emails from Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta, Hannity said those assigned to cover the former secretary of state’s campaign had failed to uphold the most basic requirements of their jobs.

“So until members of the media come clean about colluding with the Clinton campaign and admit that they knowingly broke every ethical standard they are supposed to uphold, they should not have the privilege, they should not have the responsibility of covering the president on behalf of you, the American people," added Hannity.

Hannity openly endorsed Trump during the campaign and hosted the Republican nominee on his program and at various town hall events across the country. In late September, Hannity also appeared in a pro-Trump video, which led a spokesperson for the cable channel to tell POLITICO at the time that the host would not be featured in anything similar for the rest of the campaign. The New York Times reported in August that Hannity had "for months peppered Mr. Trump, his family members and advisers with suggestions on strategy and messaging."

The White House Correspondents Association has expressed concern about the Trump transition team's handling of the press, and is pushing the president-elect to set up a so-called protective pool to monitor his movements, as is traditional. Trump's aides have said they will follow the usual protocol, but have provided few details.

Trump has not held a formal news conference since July 27, but he has taken shouted questions at his retreat in Bedminster, New Jersey, and granted interviews to CBS and Fox News. He also held an off-the-record meeting with executives and top network stars at his Trump Tower office, though he used the occasion to air grievances about coverage.

On Tuesday, during an interview with editors and writers from The New York Times, Trump said only that the press would be "happy" with his approach to the First Amendment.

"I think you’ll be happy. I think you’ll be happy," Trump said, acknowledging that he had threatened to loosen up libel laws as president.

"Actually, somebody said to me on that, they said, ‘You know, it’s a great idea, softening up those laws, but you may get sued a lot more.’ I said, ‘You know, you’re right, I never thought about that.’ I said, ‘You know, I have to start thinking about that.’ So, I, I think you’ll be OK. I think you’re going to be fine."