First Amendment

A hearing concluded in the D.C. District Court over whether President Trump's move banning three news organizations from the White House violates the Constitution. Judge Tim Kelly heard arguments from both sides but issued no ruling before ending the session. The case centers on press access to the White House and whether the exclusions amount to unconstitutional retaliation against news outlets critical of the administration.

A state appellate court has upheld Arizona's voter-approved dark money law, rejecting a First Amendment challenge to the disclosure measure. The law, approved by voters, requires certain political groups to reveal their donors. The ruling means the disclosure requirements remain in effect, and opponents of the law have suffered a significant legal setback.

Barack Obama has issued a blunt warning about press freedom in the United States, saying he is 'not surprised by Trump' in remarks touching on threats to journalism. The comments come amid ongoing debate over the Trump administration's treatment of the media, and observers are weighing the significance of a former president publicly raising alarms about First Amendment protections.