A federal judge on Thursday temporarily blocked President Donald Trump’s ban on CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House, ordering the administration to immediately restore press credentials to journalists from the three news organizations.
U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly issued a 14-day temporary restraining order after concluding that the outlets were likely to succeed in their claims that the ban violated constitutional protections for a free press and due process. The ruling is temporary while the broader lawsuit continues.
Trump announced Sept. 18 that the three organizations would no longer be allowed access to the White House, citing what he characterized as false and unfair reporting. His administration subsequently argued that the restrictions were justified by national security concerns.
Kelly rejected that justification, finding insufficient evidence that restoring the journalists’ access would pose a national security threat. He also pointed to previous federal appeals court decisions establishing that journalists are entitled to due process before White House press credentials can be revoked.
CNN, MS NOW and Politico filed suit Monday in federal court in Washington, arguing that the administration had violated First Amendment protections for freedom of speech and the press, along with their due process rights. They sought immediate restoration of their access while the case proceeds.
The outlets argued that their credentials were revoked without adequate advance notice or an opportunity to challenge the decision. Kelly noted during a hearing Wednesday that White House letters explaining the revocations were sent only after the credentials had been canceled and the lawsuit filed.
Justice Department attorneys maintained that access to the White House is a privilege rather than a constitutional entitlement and that the president has broad authority to determine which news organizations are admitted.
A coalition of press freedom organizations and news outlets filed a brief supporting the three organizations. Participants included the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, Reuters, The Washington Post and Fox News.
The dispute is the latest legal confrontation over Trump administration restrictions on media access. During Trump’s first term, federal judges ordered the restoration of White House credentials for CNN correspondent Jim Acosta and Playboy correspondent Brian Karem after their access was revoked.
The administration must restore the credentials while Kelly’s temporary order remains in effect, unless the ruling is stayed or overturned by another court.
Source: NPR