In Other News · United States · Politics

Source: Axios

The White House counsel's office warned Politico in a Monday letter that it had 48 hours to retract or correct recent stories about alleged staff drama, or it would suffer unspecified consequences.That deadline expires Thursday.Why it matters: The White House demand threatens to escalate already tense relations with Politico specifically and, more generally, the press corps that covers President Trump in Washington.Politico, CNN, and MS NOW are already banned from covering Trump in the Oval Office and on Air Force One because the president does not like their coverage.Trump blocked all three outlets from the White House grounds as well, but a judge on Oct. 13 restored their access.CNN threatened legal action Wednesday to regain access to Air Force One and the "pool" of television networks that accompany the president.Zoom in: In his letter to Politico, White House Counsel Will Scharf singled out three stories concerning White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles despite "on-the-record refutations" or contrary evidence supplied by senior staff and even the president.1) Oct. 15: In a story headlined "Trump's ice maiden is under fire," Politico Playbook reported that Trump was considering a replacement for Wiles. Trump called it "fake news."2) Oct. 16: Politico Playbook wrote...