WASHINGTON – Broadcast networks planned to resume their shared coverage of President Donald Trump on Sept. 25, after the White House restored CNN’s credentials under court order, according to CNN.
Other networks refused to participate in pooled coverage of Trump – where one network covers the president and shares video with the others – while CNN’s credentials were suspended for nearly a week.
But after CNN’s credentials were restored Sept. 24, CBS planned to pool coverage of Trump hosting Chinese President Xi Jinping at the White House, according to CNN’s Kristen Holmes. CNN planned to pool coverage of Trump and Xi at the National Archives to view the Declaration of Independence.
“The White House approved the organization’s credentials for poolers
for that event and as of Friday morning, the network appeared to be on track to fulfill its responsibilities,” CNN’s Brian Stelter reported. “Both networks have confirmed that they are moving forward with pooled coverage, although the situation remains fluid given the Trump administration's recent actions.”
Ted Boutrous, the lawyer who represented CNN, MS NOW and Politico after Trump announced Sept. 18 he was banning them from the White House, said the judge’s order restoring CNN’s credentials meant the cable network was also restored to pool coverage.
"We think that that restoration of access means back into the pool, which is good for President Trump and the administration, and it’s good for the American people to get the pool back up and running," Boutrous told CNN’s Jake Tapper.
Trump banned CNN, MS NOW and Politico for what he alleged was inaccurate reporting that he argued had threatened national security.
U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly, a Trump appointee, ordered the White House to temporarily restore the credentials while the case is litigated. Trump has said he would appeal Kelly's anticipated decision.
The restoration of credentials for CNN, MS NOW and Politico came in fits and starts on Sept. 24. The White House said it started processing the order that morning and the badges were available from the Secret Service by 9:55 a.m. But the organizations didn't get onto the grounds until about noon.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Networks to share coverage of Trump after CNN's credentials are restored
