The U.S. State Department is holding a special conference call but has barred reporters who regularly cover the State Dept. from the call and instead is allowing only “faith-based media” reporters.

CNN Senior Diplomatic Correspondent covering the State Department, Michelle Kosinski was the first to report the breach in regular norms some are questioning as a possible violation of the First Amendment.

The State Dept is holding a special informational call today. But the State Dept press corps wasn’t invited. Being told it’s for “faith-based media only”… — Michelle Kosinski (@MichLKosinski) March 18, 2019

CNN took the White House to court after its Chief White House Correspondent Jim Acosta was banned, without even a discussion, by the White House press office for asking too many questions. First Amendment experts took the White House to task then too. Acosta was reinstated and the White House instituted new rules making it easier to ban reporters, but since there are rarely press conferences anymore the new rules have yet to be thoroughly tested.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo talked about “the Rapture” when he was CIA Director in public settings, and views politics as a “struggle” mankind must endure until the Rapture comes.

Update: 5:16 PM ET —

CNN’s reporter verifes, adds that the State Dept. even went so far as to unimvite one reporter:

The SecState himself will do a call today on religious freedom, ahead of his Middle East trip. He will also take questions. This is rare. But this is indeed only for “faith based media.” One reporter from a regular ol’ outlet was accidentally invited… then DISinvited. — Michelle Kosinski (@MichLKosinski) March 18, 2019

NEW: STATE DEPT. DOUBLES DOWN ON SECRECY AS POMPEO’S ‘FAITH-BASED MEDIA ONLY’ CONFERENCE CALL DRAWS CRITICISM

Developing…

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