WASHINGTON, US — A US federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to immediately restore White House access for journalists from CNN, MS NOW and Politico, ruling that the outlets were likely denied constitutionally required due process when their press credentials were revoked.
US District Judge Timothy Kelly issued a temporary restraining order on Thursday, September 24, blocking the administration from enforcing the ban and requiring the outlets’ access to be restored. The order provides temporary relief while the legal challenge continues.
The three news organisations had sued the Trump administration after U.S. President Donald Trump announced on September 18 that they would be barred from the White House.
Judge Says Press Credentials Were Revoked Without Due Process
Kelly’s ruling focused on the procedure followed by the administration when the journalists’ access was withdrawn.
The judge said the outlets were likely deprived of constitutionally protected interests without adequate notice and an opportunity to challenge the decision.
“The ‘general rule’ is that ‘individuals must receive notice and an opportunity to be heard before the Government deprives them’ of a constitutionally protected interest,” Kelly wrote.
The judge had raised similar concerns during a hearing on Wednesday, pointing to previous court decisions establishing due process protections when the government seeks to revoke journalists’ White House access.
Trump Accused Outlets of Publishing ‘Fiction and Lies’
Trump announced the ban after accusing CNN, MS NOW and Politico of publishing what he described as “fiction and lies” about his administration.
The outlets’ journalists subsequently had their White House press credentials deactivated and were denied entry to the presidential complex.
The administration has defended its authority to regulate access to the White House and argued that the restrictions were connected to national-security concerns.
The news organisations, however, argued in their lawsuit that the decision amounted to unconstitutional retaliation for their reporting and violated protections under the First Amendment.
CNN, MS NOW and Politico Challenge Ban
The three organisations filed their joint lawsuit in federal court on September 21, seeking a temporary restraining order that would restore their access.
They argued that the administration could not withdraw press access because it disagreed with their coverage.
The legal challenge also raised Fifth Amendment due process arguments concerning the manner in which the journalists’ credentials were revoked.
Kelly’s ruling now gives the outlets temporary access while the broader legal dispute proceeds.
White House Press Pool Disrupted
The ban had consequences beyond the three affected organisations.
CNN had been part of the White House television press pool, and other major networks temporarily suspended pool coverage in response to the restrictions.
The three outlets continued covering Trump’s activities outside the White House using other credentials, including during his visit to the United Nations in New York.
The White House also launched a 24-hour streaming channel, “Trump TV,” during the dispute, featuring administration-approved content.
