Trump Administration Targets TV Networks Over Press Pool Stand

Well, color us entirely unsurprised.

When the Trump administration pulls out the authoritarian playbook, you can set your watch by which federal agency gets drafted as lead enforcer. True to form, the U.S. Department of Justice has officially launched an antitrust investigation into five major television networks—ABC, CBS, CNN, NBC, and Fox News—because they dared to stand up for one another when the White House tried to crush press freedom.

Let's review the timeline of retaliation, shall we?

Last month, the Trump administration decided it didn’t like the reporting coming from CNN, MS Now, and Politico, so it summarily yanked their White House credentials. In a rare and commendable display of industry solidarity, the TV networks that make up the rotating White House press pool briefly paused their presidential coverage to protest the censorship.

Naturally, the administration couldn’t handle pushback. So what does a vindictive White House do when news outlets refuse to roll over? They sick the DOJ on them.

According to DOJ spokeswoman Emily Covington, the department is now investigating whether the networks’ temporary suspension of pool coverage constituted a "group boycott" violating the Sherman Act.

Translation: If you don't lay down for Trump and act as a compliant megaphone for his administration, expect Uncle Sam’s legal cudgel to come swinging at your bottom line.

Press freedom advocates aren't mincing words about what this transparent intimidation tactic really is. Jose Zamora, the Americas director for the Committee to Protect Journalists, didn't hesitate to call it out, posting on social media: "The government should not use antitrust investigations to intimidate news outlets defending press access. The public's right to know depends on that access."

Of course, the courts have already signaled that the White House's initial censorship crusade is standing on shaky legal ground. A federal judge previously slapped a temporary restraining order on the administration's bans, and while the legal battle continues, the Trump administration is clearly intent on using the massive weight of the federal government to bludgeon the media into submission.

When the executive branch treats the Department of Justice like a personal legal defense firm and an instrument of political retaliation, independent journalism becomes the target. This isn't about antitrust law. It’s a message from Washington: Bend the knee, or get investigated.

H/T WaPo