Olszewski on Trump’s Attack on the Press: “Outrageous and Unconstitutional”

(Towson, MD) – Maryland Congressman Johnny Olszewski today issued the following statement after President Trump barred CNN, MS NOW and POLITICO from the White House and confiscated the press credentials of their journalists. The three outlets announced today they are suing the Trump Administration over the ban.

“A free and independent press is fundamental to our democracy. President Trump’s attack on news organizations he doesn’t like is outrageous and unconstitutional.

This issue is bigger than any one news outlet. It’s about whether the President of the United States gets to decide which journalists are allowed access to him based on favorable coverage. He doesn’t.

Unfortunately, this is part of a broader pattern from the Trump Administration — using the power of the federal government to punish journalists and restrict the ability of the press to hold those in power accountable. That is the kind of overreach we associate with authoritarian regimes, not a healthy democracy. I commend other, competing news organizations for standing in solidarity to defend the First Amendment.

The White House belongs to the American people. They have a right to an independent press that asks tough questions, reports the facts, and holds their government accountable.”