Politics
CROSS-SPECTRUM
Scalise admits he lacks explanation for Trump's White House media ban
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise said he does not know why President Donald Trump barred three news outlets from the White House.
Why it matters
It shows uncertainty among top GOP officials about the president's approach to press access.
How this story developed
- Sep 12 Trump's Kennedy Center takeover sparks funding crisis and artist exodus
- Sep 15 In a 7-2 unsigned order, the Supreme Court refused to overturn blocks on a new USPS regulation that would mandate election-mail markings, barcode-compatible envelopes, and a federal portal for voter data. The majority said the Justice Department had not shown a likelihood of success on the merits. Justice Brett Kavanaugh concurred, citing insufficient time for states to implement the rule before the midterms. Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas authored a dissent, contending that the plaintiffs—mostly Democratic states—lacked standing and that the Postal Service’s statutory powers are broad. Alito emphasized that the timing argument does not justify denying the government’s application and criticized the challengers for delaying the rule’s rollout. He concluded that the “Hail Mary” effort would probably fail and urged the Court to grant the administration’s request. The decision stalls the rule for the upcoming election, though further litigation could allow implementation by 2028.
- Sep 15 The Supreme Court issued an order denying the administration’s emergency request to change mail‑in ballot handling.
- Sep 15 Donald Trump blasted the Supreme Court ruling, calling mail‑in voting a “laughing stock” and accusing the justices of being “petrified of these crazed and depraved Democrats.”
- Sep 16 Trump warned he would halt reconstruction entirely pending a court ruling on the naming request.
- Sep 17 Joyce Beatty filed an emergency motion requesting a hearing to contest the board’s decision to shut the main building.
- Sep 17 Trump was photographed on Air Force One holding a placard that read “Kennedy Center DEMOLITION”.
- Sep 18 Judge denied Rep. Joyce Beatty’s emergency hearing request.
- Sep 19 Press‑freedom groups are preparing legal challenges to the announced ban.
In this story
media banpress accessWhite HouseRepublican leadershipnews outletsDonald TrumpSteve Scalise
Related stories
28 in this thread