White House moves to bar CNN from Air Force One after court lifts press ban

The White House plans to bar CNN from traveling aboard Air Force One, just one day after a court temporarily halted its ban on the outlet's access to the building, The Washington Post reported Friday (local time).

The move signals a new front in the escalating conflict between the White House and major news organizations, as the administration seeks alternative means of restricting press access following the court's intervention.

President Donald Trump announced on Sept. 18 that he was banning CNN, MS Now and Politico from the White House, labeling the three outlets "fake news." Reporters from those organizations were subsequently barred from using their White House press credentials.

The outlets responded by filing for a temporary restraining order in court, arguing the ban violated the First Amendment's guarantee of freedom of the press.

The court suspended the access restrictions Thursday.

Following the ruling, the broadcast pool rotation that includes CNN resumed coverage of the president.

On Friday, the first day of resumed access, CBS handled pool duties and filmed Trump's event related to Chinese President Xi Jinping, while CNN covered a separate event held at the National Archives.

However, the White House's decision to block CNN from Air Force One has again cast doubt over the smooth operation of the broadcast pool.

The White House did not respond to a request for comment on why it refused to allow CNN aboard the presidential aircraft.