September 19, 2026 | Investigative Reporters and Editors condemns President Donald Trump's ban of CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House in apparent retaliation for their coverage of the Trump Administration.

In a post on Truth Social, President Trump said the news organizations would be banned because of articles he claimed were “fake news.” He also threatened that other news outlets would be banned, as well.

These outlets are doing important work to inform the public. Banning them flouts a federal appeals court ruling that the White House cannot revoke press access without a compelling reason. IRE joins the Society of Professional Journalists, the National Press Club and other organizations calling for the President to immediately reverse his decision.

Journalists must be able to cover the government without fear of retaliation for their reporting — critical or not. In response to the ban, IRE Executive Director Jonathan Kealing said:

“Time and again, we’ve seen this administration try to marginalize and exclude those seeking to fairly report on its actions and their impacts. This is just another in a series of illegal moves to try and thwart journalists’ First Amendment rights, and we won’t stand idly by while it happens. We applaud the organizations standing up for their ability to report from and on the White House without fear or favor and call on investigative reporters and editors across the country to stand in solidarity with their colleagues experiencing these harmful actions.”

IRE is a grassroots nonprofit organization that seeks to improve the quality of investigative reporting. The organization began in 1975 after a small group of reporters from around the country gathered to share tips about reporting and writing. Today, it provides members access to thousands of reporting tipsheets and other materials through its Resource Center and hosts conferences and specialized training across the country.