The Justice Department’s Antitrust Division is examining whether ABC, CBS, CNN, Fox News, and NBC violated the Sherman Act by collectively suspending their White House TV press pool duties in September 2026. A DOJ spokesperson stated, “Group boycotts among commercial competitors can violate the Sherman Act,” but did not confirm if formal charges will be filed.
The suspension followed Trump’s decision to ban CNN, Politico, and MS NOW from White House grounds after criticizing their coverage. The networks refused to replace CNN during its exclusion, leading to a four-day pause in press pool operations. This disrupted live coverage of events, including Xi Jinping’s visit, though the pool resumed on September 25.
The networks argued their actions protected press freedom, stating, “No administration should restrict a news organization because it objects to its reporting.” However, the DOJ’s investigation focuses on potential antitrust violations rather than First Amendment concerns. A federal judge previously blocked the White House’s access restrictions, but CNN and others still face limited access to certain locations.
The White House has continued restricting CNN from assignments like flying on Air Force One. Meanwhile, the DOJ’s probe overlaps with ongoing legal battles, including a case involving the Associated Press, which was barred from the pool over its use of the term “Gulf of America” instead of “Gulf of Mexico.”
Networks have not been formally notified of the investigation, though a source said the DOJ requested communications related to the suspension. ABC confirmed it has not received official notice, while CNN and others declined to comment. The outcome could set a precedent for future conflicts between media and government access policies.