Silke Jasso
According to a report by The Daily Beast, Breitbart News Network has been denied permanent Capitol Hill press credentials.
Videos by Rare
The reason for the denial, cited by the Standing Committee of the Senate Press Gallery, is the lack of proof being provided by the news site showing that President Donald Trump’s senior adviser Steve Bannon is no longer associated with the network.
Bannon ran Breitbart until November, when he left to become a senior adviser to Trump.
RELATED:Â Trump upends National Security Council, appoints Bannon and Priebus
The Senate committee said Monday morning that the only proof provided was a letter and masthead from Breitbart’s CEO Larry Solov stating that Bannon had cut ties with the site in November. The committee felt that the letter was insufficient and that the only evidence beyond the letter was “us trusting Larry.”
The committee also expressed frustration at the late arrival of the evidence. The deadline was Friday, and the letter was not received until “late Thursday.”
Before the committee will consider Breitbart’s request again, they will need “more answers.” The Daily Beast reported that the committee is requesting more information regarding Bannon and the “roles of people on the masthead, explanation of any of their roles on other Bannon-related projects (such as Glittering Steel production company and the Government Accountability Institute), clarification on news reports that Rebekah Mercer is involved in Breitbart editorial decisions, and more information on the location of Breitbart’s office.”
In February, Solov provided information to the committee on the ownership structure of Breitbart, revealing that the network was owned by himself, the Mercer family and the late Andrew Breitbart’s widow, Susie.
The committee will meet again April 25 to review any new information provided by Breitbart, and until that time, the network’s reporters will still receive temporary passes.
