1. United States
2. Ohio
3. Letter

I am writing as your constituent to urge Congress to take bipartisan action to protect press freedom from retaliatory exclusion at the White House. On September 18, President Trump announced on Truth Social that he was banning CNN, MS NOW, and Politico from the White House, warning other news organizations that additional bans would follow. He later named The New York Times and The Washington Post as likely next. Asked directly by reporters for a specific rationale, the President cited no specific story, attributing the decision to "cumulative stories" and concluding there was "no reason" for the immediate timing. Barring credentialed journalists from covering their government without due process or objective standards sets a dangerous executive precedent. Arbitrary press exclusions violate established constitutional principles and statutory boundaries: - Judicial Precedent Already Rejects Arbitrary Bans: In 2018, when the White House revoked a credentialed journalist's access, a federal judge appointed by President Trump ordered the press pass restored, ruling that arbitrary revocations without due process violate the Constitution. - Part of an Expanding Pattern of Press Restrictions: This decision follows ongoing exclusions of news organizations—including the Associated Press—and recent judicial rulings surrounding editorial independence at military publications like Stars and Stripes. - The Threats Are Already Expanding: The same day, President Trump told reporters The New York Times and The Washington Post would likely be next, calling them "fake news" and "disgusting," and said the White House is considering no longer displaying their print editions. Absent congressional action, there is nothing preventing this pattern from continuing outlet by outlet. - Absence of Statutory Guardrails: There is currently no binding federal statute preventing an executive administration of any political party from conditioning credentialed access on favorable coverage. As press freedom advocates have noted, credentialed access to cover the President is not a loyalty reward to be granted or revoked at executive whim. Protecting an independent press ensures accountability for every administration, present and future. I urge you to take three concrete legislative steps: 1. Hold Immediate Oversight Hearings: Direct the House Oversight and Senate Judiciary Committees to hold joint hearings examining the legal justification and due process standards for credentialing reporters at federal facilities. 2. Codify Non-Discretionary Credentialing Standards: Enact legislation establishing neutral, viewpoint-blind standards for White House press credentials to ensure access cannot be conditioned on favorable reporting. 3. Pass the PRESS Act: Bring the bipartisan PRESS Act—which previously passed the House—to a floor vote to establish a statutory federal shield law, ensuring journalists cannot be targeted through surveillance or compelled disclosure for reporting on government actions. An independent press is a constitutional guarantee that Congress must defend when the executive branch exceeds its authority. I ask that you assert Article I oversight and pass statutory protections for the press immediately.