Reporters from CNN, MS NOW, and Politico reported being denied access to the White House grounds on Saturday, a day after President Donald Trump announced a ban on the three news organizations. The decision marks a significant escalation in the administration's ongoing tensions with news outlets critical of its coverage.

President Trump stated on social media Friday that media outlets should not be permitted to "constantly write or report FICTION and LIES" when covering the President, the administration, or the United States. This statement preceded the reported barring of journalists from the White House.

ABC News observed a CNN reporter and photographer being turned away from the White House security checkpoint. The CNN photographer indicated their press passes were confiscated. A CNN reporter stated on air that a Secret Service agent informed her that her badge had been deactivated. CNN issued a statement asserting its constitutional right to report without government interference and called the ban an "illegal assault on this fundamental right."

MS NOW also confirmed that some of its journalists were barred from entering the White House. The network vowed to "defend our First Amendment rights and the essential role of independent journalism in our democracy." However, one MS NOW producer was reportedly able to enter the grounds, leading to confusion among Secret Service officers regarding the selective enforcement.

Politico's Editor-in-Chief, Jonathan Greenberger, confirmed that a Politico reporter was denied entry and had her press credentials revoked. He reiterated the outlet's commitment to "vigorously defend our First Amendment rights."

The White House had not immediately issued a comment regarding the specific instances of reporters being denied access. This move follows a pattern of strained relations between the Trump administration and various news organizations, with the President frequently criticizing critical reporting as "fake news."

The White House Correspondents Association president, Jacqui Heinrich, condemned the revocation of access and called for the reporters' credentials to be restored. The incident raises concerns about press freedom and the government's role in facilitating or restricting access for journalists covering the executive branch.

The ban and subsequent barring of reporters from the White House grounds bring renewed attention to the First Amendment's protections for the press and the ongoing debate over the balance between government communication and independent journalism.