Trump Expands Press Freedom By Removing Press
President Donald Trump expanded press freedom Saturday by freeing the White House from reporters employed by CNN, MSNBC and Politico. Journalists from the three organizations were denied entry to the grounds and had their passes confiscated one day after Trump announced that unfavorable coverage had rendered their constitutional protections “effective never.” The removal immediately made the administration more transparent by ensuring fewer people could observe it, ask about it or describe what it was doing.
Trump said the policy honored the First Amendment by protecting him from its most disruptive side effect: journalism. “The First Amendment is very important, maybe nobody has defended it more than me, but it doesn’t say reporters have to stand nearby, ask nasty questions or publish things that hurt my numbers,” Trump said. “They are still completely free to report from somewhere else, preferably somewhere without internet.” White House officials reportedly learned of the decision at the same time as the public, reaffirming the administration’s commitment to withholding privileged access from everyone, including itself.
Critics said the expulsions punished news organizations for coverage Trump disliked. The White House rejected that characterization, explaining that every reporter remains free to publish any story that praises the president, confirms his memories, improves his polling and is submitted in advance for emotional verification. Stories containing unauthorized facts may still be published under the administration’s generous accommodation for dissent, provided they are not read, broadcast, shared, discussed or brought within several miles of the Oval Office.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer compared the policy to autocracy, overlooking the crucial democratic distinction that Trump announced it on social media. The vacant press seats are expected to be filled by supportive outlets, administration influencers and a full-length mirror, which has never interrupted a presidential answer with a follow-up question. By excluding journalists who report unwelcome information, the White House has conclusively established that the First Amendment is strongest when nobody uses it within earshot of the president.
* None of the quotes in this article were spoken by an actual person. More info.