The Justice Department demanded major television networks fork over communications and other materials Friday as part of a new federal probe, The New York Times reported Saturday.
“The inquiry by the Justice Department is a profound escalation of the Trump administration’s ongoing battles with the White House press corps,” the Times’ report reads. “It also follows a pattern of the Trump administration using the levers of government against its perceived foes in the media.”
Citing six people with knowledge of the new probe, the Times reported that the investigation is centered on the television network revolt launched last month in response to President Donald Trump banning three major news outlets from the White House: CNN, MS NOW and Politico.
The White House television pool — the small group of rotating journalists who cover the president on behalf of the full press corps — refused to cover Trump’s events last month. The coordinated effort led to some gaps in coverage of the president, including a ribbon-cutting ceremony that was recorded in complete silence.
Laura Loomer, a self-described “proud Islamophobe” who wields “breathtaking influence” in the White House, proposed last month that the DOJ file an antitrust lawsuit against the television networks that participated in the media blackout. The DOJ appears to have followed Loomer’s suggestion, according to the Times, leading Politico’s Kyle Cheney to argue that Loomer appeared to be “dictating DOJ policy.”
“Members of the television press pool have proudly boycotted covering White House events. Group boycotts among commercial competitors can violate the Sherman Act,” said Emily Covington, a DOJ spokesperson, in a statement on Saturday, according to the Times. “The Antitrust Division is simply investigating to determine whether these news organizations have violated the antitrust laws.”