A federal judge has ordered Donald Trump to restore White House access for CNN, MS NOW and Politico journalists immediately following litigation. U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly issued the order Thursday after the three news organizations challenged Trump’s September 18 access ban.
The judge ruled that the outlets’ press passes must return while the court continues examining their legal challenge. Kelly also blocked the administration from enforcing the ban for fourteen days through a temporary restraining order.
According to the ruling, the news organizations are likely to succeed in showing that officials violated their due process protections. CNN, MS NOW and Politico had argued that removing their White House access violated First Amendment protections for journalists.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration defended its decision, arguing that White House access represents a privilege rather than constitutional entitlement. The administration also cited national security concerns while defending restrictions against the three news organizations during court proceedings.
However, Judge Kelly rejected the government’s national security justification, saying the record lacked sufficient factual support for that argument. Trump announced the original ban after accusing CNN, MS NOW and Politico of publishing what he described as false reporting.
Following the decision, the outlets welcomed the ruling while continuing their broader legal challenge against the administration’s media access policy. For now, the court’s fourteen-day order restores their access while both sides continue presenting arguments surrounding the disputed restrictions.
The case could determine how the administration handles White House press access as the broader legal battle moves forward.
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