While major television networks stopped providing White House pool coverage in protest of President Donald Trump’s decision to revoke credentials from CNN, MS NOW, and Politico, one LGBTQ+ news outlet found itself at the center of the controversy.
The Washington Blade continued serving in the White House print press pool Monday, even as CNN, ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox News suspended television pool coverage in solidarity with the barred outlets. The television networks said the public has an interest in receiving independent information about the government and objected to restricting outlets because of their reporting.
The Blade, however, was participating in a separate print pool rotation and was scheduled to serve as the primary print pool outlet that day. Reporter Joe Reberkenny provided updates on Trump’s activities, including a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new White House helipad.
The decision drew criticism after The Advocate reported that the LGBTQ+ publication continued providing coverage while television outlets were boycotting.
Blade editor Kevin Naff later defended the decision, saying there was no organized boycott among members of the print pool.
According to Naff, The Blade contacted the White House Correspondents’ Association and confirmed the print pool was continuing its normal rotation. He also said withdrawing from its scheduled responsibilities could jeopardize The Blade’s position inside the White House press corps.
The Blade is currently the only LGBTQ+ publication with a seat in the White House briefing room, membership in the White House Correspondents’ Association, and a place in the print pool rotation. Naff argued that maintaining that access ensures LGBTQ+ journalists remain present while covering the administration.
The publication did make some changes in response to the television protest. Naff said The Blade declined to take or distribute photographs or video of Trump that could replace coverage withheld by television networks. The outlet also said it would not substitute for Politico when Politico’s scheduled print pool rotation arrives if the publication remained barred from the White House.
Trump removed the credentials of CNN, MS NOW, and Politico after criticizing their reporting. The White House defended the decision by arguing that access to White House facilities is a privilege rather than a constitutional right.
CNN, MS NOW, and Politico challenged the decision in federal court, arguing that the administration violated their First and Fifth Amendment rights.
Early Thursday, September 24, U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly, who was appointed by Trump, granted the organizations.
