Six citizens sue Trump over White House media bans, citing the public's right to news

The plaintiffs, represented by the Knight First Amendment Institute and a Yale Law School clinic, include former Human Rights Watch executive director Kenneth Roth, Lawfare editor-in-chief Benjamin Wittes, Yale historian Beverly Gage, a New York City civics teacher and a student journalist, AP reported. They ask the court to declare the access policy unconstitutional and to bar retaliation against any outlet that covers the White House. The defendants also include chief of staff Susie Wiles, communications director Steven Cheung and Secret Service Director Sean Curran.

In a statement attributed to an unnamed White House official, the administration said no person may demand access to the Oval Office and that outlets it accuses of misinformation can report from outside, AP reported.

Why it matters: The case shifts the focus from news organizations to news consumers. CNN, MS NOW and Politico are separately suing over their exclusion from the White House in September, and a court order has temporarily restored their access.