As Trump Abuses the Press, Republicans Cheer Him On

His allies excuse and defend his ban of CNN, MS Now, and Politico.

Will Saletan September 25 Upgrade to listen 12 minutes 163 45 36 (Photo illustration by Bill Kuchman/ The Bulwark | Photos: Shutterstock) UNDER DONALD TRUMP, the formula for American authoritarianism has been distressingly simple: Trump crosses one line after another—usurping congressional powers, mounting an insurrection, ordering prosecutions of his enemies—and Republicans go along. The same thing happened this week after he banned CNN, MS NOW, and Politico from the White House, and after Secret Service agents followed through by confiscating the reporters’ press passes. While a few Republicans in Congress dissented—and a judge eventually ordered the White House to restore the journalists’ access for now—Republican leaders in Congress joined administration officials in defending the president’s assault on the First Amendment.