President Trump criticized NBC over an election comment on Saturday, the same day the Treasury Department denied G20 credentials to journalists from The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg. The moves, reported by CNBC, come as the administration faces scrutiny over its relationship with the press.
The Treasury's decision bars reporters from three major news organizations from attending the G20, a gathering of the world's largest economies. The exact reason for the denial was not disclosed in the source.
A coordinated pressure on the press
Trump's attack on NBC follows the Treasury's action, though the source does not link the two directly. The criticism of NBC appears to stem from an election comment, but the specifics of that comment are not provided.
The denial of credentials to The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg is notable for its breadth, affecting both print and wire services. The source does not indicate whether other outlets were also denied access.
What the source does not say
The source, a CNBC article, provides only a brief excerpt. It does not include details on the nature of Trump's criticism, the election comment in question, or the Treasury's rationale for the credential denials. It also does not state when the G20 is scheduled or whether the affected reporters have appealed the decision.
The open question
The immediate question is whether the Treasury will reverse its decision or provide a justification for the denials. The G20 is a major international forum, and the absence of reporters from these outlets could limit coverage. No timeline for a response has been given.