White House letters reveal stories behind press pass revocations, with Vance as source

The Trump administration released letters justifying its decision to revoke White House press passes for CNN, MS NOW, and Politico, accusing them of "trafficking in verifiable falsehoods about national security" and publishing sensitive information. The letters, issued Tuesday, cited specific stories, some over a year old, to support the bans. One cited Politico story was based on a June White House press call where Vice President JD Vance was the anonymous "senior administration official." The letters referenced at least seven stories on military matters, including munitions depletion and a missile strike, plus two on Trump's planned White House ballroom project, which was already detailed in court filings and on Truth Social. A federal judge rejected the national security rationale on Thursday, calling the justification pretextual and ordering press access restored. The White House said badges were reactivated by 9:55 a.m., though reporters were only allowed entry after noon.