Justice Department investigates TV networks as White House press-access fight escalates

CNBC reports that the department is looking into whether ABC, CBS, CNN, Fox and NBC violated antitrust law by jointly suspending pooled television coverage of Trump.[2]Justice Department spokeswoman Emily Covington told CBS News that "Members of the television press pool have boycotted covering White House events,"[3] adding that "Group boycotts among commercial competitors can violate the Sherman Act."[3]According to NBC News, civil investigative demands were sent out Friday[4]. CNN reports that, according to two sources, network attorneys received government demands for documents relating to the pool, including its formation and its recent operations.[5]CNBC reports that the networks paused pooled video coverage after the White House barred CNN, MS NOW, and Politico; they later resumed coverage.[2] According to CBS News, the White House has continued to refuse to allow CNN and Politico into the Oval Office or aboard Air Force One.[3]NBC News reports that ABC News said it has not received any notification from the Justice Department but expects to[4], while representatives for NBC, CBS and CNN declined to comment.[4] Brown of the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press called the probe "another and even more brazen attempt to try to intimidate journalists."[4] CNBC reports that Seth Stern of the Freedom of the Press Foundation called it "nonsense."[2]According to CBS News, Judge Timothy Kelly's restraining order was set to expire on Thursday, but Kelly extended it to next Tuesday while he continues to consider the case.[3]