Washington, September 22, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
US Vice President JD Vance has defended President Donald Trump’s decision to restrict White House access for CNN, MS NOW and Politico, rejecting the argument that the move amounts to an attack on freedom of the press.
Speaking to reporters before travelling to North Carolina, Vance said the administration was not preventing the three organisations from reporting on Trump or his administration, but was withdrawing what he described as “special access” to the White House.
“He’s not banning media outlets,” Vance said, arguing that the administration should not provide special access to organisations he accused of engaging in what he called “effectively propaganda”.
Vance claimed that about 92 per cent of the three outlets’ coverage of Trump and his administration was negative, saying such reporting did not represent the American people or public opinion.
He said the outlets remained free to report on the administration, access public information and speak with government officials and other people outside the White House. However, their journalists have had their access badges deactivated and have been denied entry to the White House grounds.
Vance compared Politico’s coverage of Trump with conservative outlet Breitbart’s coverage of former Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden, arguing that previous Democratic administrations had not been expected to provide comparable access to Breitbart.
“It’s about basic fairness,” Vance said, adding that the affected organisations could continue reporting but would no longer have offices inside the White House.
The three outlets have challenged the restrictions in federal court, arguing that the move violates constitutional protections for freedom of speech and the press. They have sought an order restoring their access.
Vance also addressed Iran, energy prices and the Russia-Ukraine war during his interaction with reporters.
On Iran, he said oil and gas continued to move through the Strait of Hormuz despite what he described as daily Iranian attacks on shipping. Vance reiterated that Trump’s position was that Iran could not be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon and said the US would seek to protect the flow of international commerce.
He declined to pre-empt Trump’s plans but said further discussions on Iran could take place during the UN General Assembly in New York this week.
On the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Vance described it as the most difficult international conflict to resolve and said Trump was expected to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy “either tomorrow or the day after”.
Vance also linked elevated energy prices to threats against international shipping and said the administration was exploring measures to provide short-term relief to Americans, including encouraging states to reduce or provide relief from gas taxes.
Vance made the remarks ahead of a campaign trip to North Carolina with Republican Senate candidate Michael Whatley, where he said they would promote the Trump administration’s economic agenda, including tax policies concerning tips and overtime and what he described as significant middle-class tax cuts.
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