A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to restore White House press credentials for journalists working with CNN, MS NOW and Politico, temporarily blocking the administration’s decision to exclude the three news organizations from the White House grounds.
U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly issued the temporary restraining order early Thursday, September 24, saying the outlets had demonstrated a likelihood of success in their legal challenge, particularly over whether their press credentials were revoked without adequate due process. The order is scheduled to remain in effect for 14 days unless the court changes it.
Judge Says Journalists Were Not Given Adequate Process
The dispute began after President Donald Trump announced on September 18 that CNN, MS NOW and Politico would no longer have access to the White House.
Trump criticized the outlets’ reporting, describing it as false and arguing that certain coverage presented concerns for national security. The news organizations rejected the justification and filed a lawsuit, arguing that their exclusion was connected to the content and viewpoint of their reporting and violated constitutional protections.
Judge Kelly’s ruling focused significantly on the process used to revoke the journalists’ credentials. The court found that the outlets had not received adequate notice or an opportunity to challenge the decision before their hard passes were withdrawn.
The judge also questioned the administration’s national security explanation, noting that the evidence presented to the court did not establish that national security concerns were the reason for the original credential revocations.
White House Media Access Dispute Continues
The ruling comes amid a broader confrontation between the Trump administration and several news organizations over access to presidential events.
The exclusion of CNN also affected the rotating television press pool responsible for providing coverage that can be shared among major networks. Following CNN’s removal from scheduled pool duties, other major television organizations suspended portions of the pool’s coverage in solidarity.
However, the legal dispute did not immediately end after the judge’s order. Reporters from CNN, MS NOW and Politico said they were still turned away from the White House Thursday morning despite the court’s directive, prompting the organizations to seek an emergency hearing.
The temporary order does not resolve the broader First Amendment claims raised in the lawsuit. The court is expected to continue examining the dispute as the case moves forward.
What Happens Next?
Judge Kelly’s 14-day order preserves access while the court considers the arguments in greater detail. The administration and the news organizations will continue presenting evidence and legal arguments concerning White House press access and the constitutional limits on restricting journalists.
The case could have broader implications for the relationship between government officials and journalists who cover the presidency, particularly over the procedures required when press credentials are revoked.
