"WHCA urges the Court to grant CNN the relief that it seeks and, in doing so, to roundly reject the President’s dangerous legal position," the brief said. | Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images Media WHCA files amicus brief backing CNN in lawsuit against Trump

The White House Correspondents' Association filed a court brief Thursday backing CNN's lawsuit against President Donald Trump, arguing that the president does not have the power to deny reporters access to the White House.

"The President’s view of the law is wrong," the WHCA's amicus brief states. "While he may have absolute discretion to exclude a member of the press from his Trump Tower residence, he does not have absolute discretion to exclude a member of the press from the White House."


The move comes as a judge is reviewing CNN's lawsuit to decide whether to at least temporarily restore press credentials to CNN correspondent Jim Acosta, whose access was revoked last week over a dispute involving a press conference.

CNN filed a lawsuit Tuesday against Trump and key officials arguing that the administration was banning Acosta because of disagreements with his coverage, which the network said was unconstitutional. Trump's lawyers replied Wednesday that the president could bar “all reporters” from the White House complex for any reason he sees fit.

A number of news outlets, including POLITICO and Fox News, one of Trump's favorite networks, have filed amicus briefs in support of CNN.

Morning Media Your guide to the media circus — weekday mornings, in your inbox. Email Sign Up By signing up you agree to receive email newsletters or alerts from POLITICO. You can unsubscribe at any time. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

"The White House is the People’s House, and the First Amendment does not permit the President to pick and choose which journalists do — and do not — cover him there," the WHCA argued. "Far from it, the First Amendment requires a compelling government interest — not whim, prejudice, or dislike — for the President to strip a journalist of his or her ability to report from the White House.

"WHCA urges the Court to grant CNN the relief that it seeks and, in doing so, to roundly reject the President’s dangerous legal position," the brief said.

