The U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) has opened an investigation into whether five major news networks—ABC, CBS, CNN, NBC and Fox News—breached federal antitrust laws by collectively suspending coverage of President Donald Trump.
Last month the presidents’ press pool was abruptly shut down by the Trump administration, which revoked credentials from CNN, MS Now and Politico. In response, the networks paused their coverage for several days as a protest against what they described as a de facto boycott of the press.
The DoJ has requested communications related to the pool and is examining whether the boycott may violate the Sherman Act, a law that bars firms from engaging in monopolistic practices. A spokesperson for the court‑busting division said the investigation aims to determine whether the networks’ coordinated action amounts to illegal collusion.
While the networks have not yet released statements, the saga follows a recent court order that reinstated the three outlets after they sued the administration, alleging that the credential revocation violated their First‑Amendment rights. The First Amendment is interpreted as preventing governmental discrimination against the press based on content.
Trump’s administration has undertaken a series of legal actions against media bodies, including lawsuits over coverage of the president and attempts to take control of the traditionally bipartisan White House press pool. Earlier this year, the White House moved to bar Associated Press reporters from spaces such as the Oval Office and Air Force One over a terminology dispute, a case still pending in court.
