Khanna, Krishnamoorthi, Quigley, Crockett, Johnson Demand Answers From White House Over Denial Of CNN, MS NOW Access During Xi State Dinner
WASHINGTON – Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA), Ranking Member of the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party, alongside Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), Rep. Mike Quigley (D-IL), Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX), and Rep. Henry Johnson (D-GA), demanded answers from White House Communications Director Steven Cheung regarding reports that journalists from CNN and MS NOW were denied access to the White House to cover President Donald Trump’s state dinner with General Secretary Xi Jinping in Washington last week.
The lawmakers sent a letter Thursday just days after a federal judge preliminarily ordered the Trump Administration to immediately restore White House press credentials for CNN, MS NOW, and Politico after the outlets challenged the Administration’s decision to revoke their White House passes. Federal Judge Timothy Kelly issued a temporary restraining order requiring the Administration to reinstate the outlets’ hard-pass credentials.
According to media reports, CNN and MS NOW journalists encountered restrictions while attempting to cover Xi’s arrival and state dinner. CNN reported that a reporter and producer were initially blocked from accessing the White House, while MS NOW reported that White House correspondent Laura Barrón-López was denied entry.
“These reports are deeply troubling not only given the context of the court’s temporary restraining order and First Amendment press freedom but also as a sign of the President’s use of anti-democratic tactics perfected by the very guest hosted at the White House,” the Members wrote.
The lawmakers expressed particular concern about the reported restrictions given that the state dinner was held for Xi, whose government has engineered one of the world’s most restrictive media environments. The PRC ranks third lowest globally for press freedom, and the CCP has instituted crippling censorship of independent journalism.
The Members also highlighted the contrast between the reported treatment of American news organizations and the access provided to PRC state-run media, including Xinhua, during Xi’s visit.
“In no way should a U.S. president or any other official attempt to squash the freedoms of American media outlets at a time when we should be condemning the limitations on the freedom of the press that the CCP supports at home and around the world,” the lawmakers continued.
The letter further notes that freedom of the press is a fundamental constitutional principle in the United States and distinguishes the American system of government from the authoritarian model employed by the CCP. As Judge Kelly wrote in his recent ruling, the free press “stands as one of the great interpreters between the government and the people.”
The Members are requesting answers from the White House on the following:
- On what grounds did the President, you, or the White House Office of the Press Secretary deny access to CNN and MS NOW reporters or producers at last week’s state dinner?
- What background checks and procedures were implemented to screen PRC state-run media outlets’ access to last week’s bilateral meetings between yourself and Xi Jinping?
What is the Trump Administration’s strategy to hold the PRC and Xi Jinping accountable for their violations of basic human rights, including freedoms of speech, opinion, and expression?
Read the full letter to White House Communications Director Steven Cheung HERE.
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