The Justice Department says it is investigating whether the White House Press Group’s decision violated antitrust laws.
Published on October 11, 2026
The US Department of Justice last month opened an investigation into the television networks’ decision to suspend news coverage of President Donald Trump.
A spokesperson said Saturday that the department was investigating whether the networks violated federal antitrust laws with their boycott, which followed a White House decision to strip journalists’ credentials from three news outlets, including CNN.
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The networks under investigation are ABC, CBS, CNN, NBC and Fox News, said Emily Convington, a Justice Department spokeswoman.
“Group boycotts between business competitors can violate the Sherman Act,” she said of the antitrust law.
“The Antitrust Division is simply investigating whether these news organizations violated antitrust laws. »
The investigation is the latest in a series of clashes between the Trump administration and major news organizations. Trump has repeatedly called mainstream media “fake news” and frequently clashes with journalists during his meetings with the press.
The action also puts legal and potentially financial pressure on media outlets to continue covering the president even if they disagree with how the White House is handling them.
The networks did not immediately comment on the announcement.
The Justice Department’s decision came after the five-channel group last month ceased presidential coverage after the administration barred CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House.
The White House said on September 19 that covering the president was a “privilege – not a right.” The media outlets sued the administration, alleging that the exclusions violated the First Amendment and that the White House was retaliating against their coverage.
CNN is one of five news organizations – along with ABC, CBS, Fox News and NBC – that make up the White House’s main television pool.
They share the costs of covering the president, taking turns organizing media coverage and sharing images with media outlets across the country.
All five television networks that cover the White House, including Fox News, suspended their coverage in solidarity and refused to provide replacement coverage.
The White House reinstated the powers on September 24 after U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly ruled the ban was likely unconstitutional and “ordered” the administration to “immediately restore, reinstate and restore” their access.
However, disputes over access to specific presidential events and pool allocations continued.
José Zamora, director of the Committee to Protect Journalists for the Americas, criticized the administration’s decision to investigate on Saturday.
“The government should not use antitrust investigations to intimidate news outlets that defend access to the press,” Zamora said on X. “The public’s right to information depends on that access.”
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