CNN, MS NOW, and Politico announced Monday they are filing a lawsuit against the Trump administration to regain access to the White House after their journalists' credentials were revoked.

The three news organizations stated in a joint release that the lawsuit aims to protect their First Amendment rights and the principle that the government should not dictate press coverage.

In their statement, the outlets explained that their journalists' credentials were removed without notice or explanation, citing objections to their reporting. They argue that this action, if left unchallenged, poses a threat to press freedom and the public's access to independent journalism.

The lawsuit comes after President Donald Trump suggested in a social media post on Friday that media outlets should not be permitted to publish "FICTION and LIES" when reporting on the presidency. He later commented at an event that while he supports a free press, it needs to be "fair and honest."

Trump further elaborated on his stance, stating, "It's sick. I mean, there's something wrong with a country that can allow people to write purposely negative stuff. Now, if they want to write them, that's fine. But I don't have to let them into my, into the people's house." He also hinted that further restrictions on media access could be forthcoming.

The White House previously revoked the credentials of reporters from CNN, MS NOW, and Politico following President Trump's public statements of dissatisfaction with their coverage. This action has drawn criticism from press freedom advocates who view it as a form of government interference in news reporting.

The legal challenge by these prominent news organizations underscores a growing tension between the Trump administration and segments of the media, particularly concerning access and the perceived fairness of reporting.

This situation highlights ongoing debates about the role of the press in a democracy and the boundaries of presidential authority in managing access to the White House. The outcome of the lawsuit could set a precedent for future interactions between the executive branch and news organizations.