CNN forced to report on White House from sidewalk after Trump kicks out ‘fake news’

CNN White House correspondent Betsy Klein reported from outside the White House after being denied entry. Klein described her typical process for entering the building, saying that in her latest attempt, her press badge failed to accept her PIN.

A Secret Service agent asked to see the badge and told her it had been “deactivated.” The agent confiscated the badge and directed Klein to the White House press office for further information. Speaking to CNNs Kasie Hunt and Brian Stelter, Klein declared, "We can do our job anywhere."

At one point during their street reporting, a bystander heckled CNN, saying, "Tell the truth!"

The development came one day after Trump announced that he was banning CNN, MS Now, and Politico from the White House, accusing the outlets of repeatedly pushing “fake news.”

"I am proud to announce that, effective immediately, I am banning Fake News CNN, MSNOW (who recently changed their name from MSNBC due to lack of viewership and credibility!), and Politico (The recipients of an illegal and ridiculous $8 Million Dollar subscription, an All Time Record, directly from the United States Government, under Crooked Joe Biden, in order to keep them 'alive.' Seems like corruption to me!), from the White House as a result of their constant 'reporting' FAKE NEWS!" Trump wrote Friday.

"Media Outlets shouldn’t be able to constantly write or report FICTION and LIES when they’re covering the President of the United States, the Trump Administration, or the United States of America,” he added, warning that other outlets could face similar consequences.

CNN said it is seeking additional information on how the restrictions will affect its coverage, including whether reporters will be allowed to cover Trump when he travels outside the White House. The outlet has argued that the administration’s action violates the First Amendment.

“CNN stands fully behind our White House team and their fair and accurate reporting,” the network said, adding that it has "a right under the U.S. Constitution to do our reporting without hindrance or interference from the government and this ban is an illegal assault on this fundamental right."

Some more Republican-aligned accounts online pointed to the declaration that CNN and other outlets can report on the White House from anywhere and said that the outlet's "terms are acceptable."

Last year, the White House barred AP reporters from certain presidential events after the news organization continued to use “Gulf of Mexico” in its reporting rather than “Gulf of America.” The White House argued that it had discretion over which journalists received access to presidential events. However, a US District Judge ruled that the administration had violated the First Amendment.