Durbin Sounds The Alarm On Trump’s Attacks On A Free & Open Press

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today called out President Trump banning CNN, MS NOW, and Politico from White House grounds because of his personal disagreements with their coverage. The three news outlets have filed a First Amendment lawsuit to restore their access.

"If a person walks the halls of the United States Capitol, there is a pretty good chance that you will bump into a reporter. They are seemingly around every corner, with their phones out, ready to ask your opinion on a recent statement or the news of the day. Those of us who serve in this chamber have become used to their presence-and their many, many questions," Durbin said. "While we may bristle when they press us, we know that these journalists serve an indispensable purpose: they shine a light on the Senate, and they keep the American people informed about their government. The work these reporters perform is a great service to our nation-one that deserves our thanks."

Durbin continued, "Yet you won't hear that kind of gratitude coming out of the Trump White House. Since President Trump returned to the Oval Office, he has done more to undermine, belittle, and attack the free and open press than any President in modern history."

Durbin noted that last year, after the Associated Press refused to use the President's preferred name for the Gulf of Mexico, he barred the organization from the Oval Office and Air Force One. At the same time, President Trump launched an unprecedented number of baseless defamation suits against respected news outlets for their factual reporting on his failed businesses, relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, and his role in the January 6, 2021, insurrection.

"This ban is unconstitutional retaliation for factual reporting. It is something you would expect to read about in the communist Russia days… or perhaps in North Korea, but not in the United States," Durbin said. "This assault on the press is a dangerous effort by the President to distract American public opinion from his failed agenda. His endless Iranian War, his self-defeating tariffs-Trump has broken countless promises made during his campaign for President."

Durbin continued, "Chastising CNN won't lower the price of diesel fuel. Punishing Politico won't end the Iranian War. And maligning MS NOW won't save the President's free-falling approval ratings. Yet the President seems determined to double down on his assault on the First Amendment. Yesterday, the White House announced the creation of 'Trump TV,' a news channel designed to spread propaganda from the Trump White House."

Durbin concluded, "I would have thought the creation of a state-run media platform to serve as the President's megaphone would have generated some sort of response, some sort of outcry from my Republican colleagues who condemn communism and authoritarianism. But they are afraid to say a word lest this press operation of President Trump turn on them. I urge all my colleagues to speak out against this ban and the President's continued assault on free press. The future of our democracy demands standing up for the Constitution, even if the President won't."

Video of Durbin's remarks on the Senate floor is available here.

Audio of Durbin's remarks on the Senate floor is available here.

Footage of Durbin's remarks on the Senate floor is available here for TV Stations.

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