A US federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to immediately restore White House press access for journalists from CNN, MS NOW and Politico, temporarily blocking the administration’s ban on the three news organisations.
US District Judge Timothy Kelly issued the order in a lawsuit filed by the three outlets after the Trump administration revoked their White House press credentials following President Donald Trump’s announcement on September 18.
The judge ordered officials to return and reinstate the outlets’ hard-pass credentials and barred enforcement of the ban for 14 days while the legal proceedings continue.
Kelly rejected the administration’s argument that the restrictions were necessary for national security, saying the government had not provided sufficient factual support for that claim. He also noted that Trump had publicly linked the decision to what he described as a lack of truthfulness and negative reporting by the outlets.
The three news organisations had sued the Trump administration in federal court, arguing that the ban violated their First Amendment rights to freedom of speech and freedom of the press, as well as their due process rights.
During Wednesday’s hearing, Kelly said previous court rulings indicated that journalists were entitled to notice and an opportunity to challenge the withdrawal of their White House press credentials. The judge also questioned whether the targeted outlets had been given a meaningful opportunity to contest the decision before their access was revoked.
The Justice Department had argued that access to the White House was a privilege rather than an entitlement and that the president had authority to determine media access. Government lawyers also cited national security concerns in defending the decision.
A coalition of press freedom organisations and several major news organisations submitted a brief supporting CNN, MS NOW and Politico, arguing that government action based on an outlet’s editorial viewpoint raises First Amendment concerns.
The court’s temporary restraining order will remain in effect for 14 days unless further extended or modified by the court.
