A fresh confrontation has opened between the Trump administration and the press, with the US Justice Department launching an antitrust probe into whether major television networks broke federal law when they collectively stopped White House coverage after the administration stripped credentials from three outlets, including CNN.
The Justice Department said the inquiry involves ABC, CBS, CNN, NBC and Fox News.
“Group boycotts among commercial competitors can violate the Sherman Act,” a Justice Department spokesperson said.
“The Antitrust Division is simply investigating to determine whether these news organisations have violated the antitrust laws,” they added.
The move marks the latest in a series of clashes between the Trump administration and prominent news organisations.
US President Donald Trump has repeatedly branded mainstream outlets “fake news” and has regularly sparred with reporters during press encounters.
By raising the prospect of legal exposure — and potentially financial consequences — the investigation also adds pressure on media companies to keep covering the president even when they object to how the White House treats them.
The networks did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The New York Times first reported the existence of the probe.
The investigation follows weeks of mounting tension between the White House and the press.
Credentials revoked in September
On 19 September, the White House barred reporters from CNN, Politico, and MS NOW from entering the building, revoking their credentials.
The White House said covering the president was a “privilege – not a right.”
The three outlets sued the administration, arguing the exclusions amounted to retaliation for their reporting and violated the First Amendment.
CNN is part of the five-network group — alongside ABC, CBS, Fox News and NBC — that forms the primary White House television pool.
Those organisations split the expense of covering the president, rotate responsibility for organising coverage and distribute the footage to outlets across the country.
After the credentials were revoked, all five of the television networks that cover the White House, including Fox News, halted coverage in a show of solidarity and declined to arrange substitute coverage.
The White House restored the credentials on 24 September after US District Judge Timothy Kelly said the ban was likely unconstitutional and directed the administration to “immediately return, reinstate, and restore” their access.
Even so, disagreements over access to particular presidential events and pool assignments persisted afterward.
