A federal judge has issued a preliminary injunction preventing the White House from banning reporters from CNN, MS NOW, and Politico from its grounds.
Key facts
- •Judge Timothy Kelly granted a preliminary injunction to maintain press access while the case moves toward trial or appeal.
- •The lawsuit filed by CNN, MS NOW, and Politico on September 21 alleges violations of First and Fifth Amendment rights.
- •The administration previously attempted to justify the ban by citing the outlets' reporting practices.
- •The ruling extends protections previously established by a temporary restraining order that restored access to reporters.
- •President Trump has indicated that the Justice Department may appeal the ruling.
U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly issued a preliminary injunction on Tuesday blocking the Trump administration from enforcing a ban on journalists from CNN, MS NOW, and Politico. The ruling prevents the administration from restricting the outlets' access to White House grounds while the ongoing lawsuit proceeds. Judge Kelly, who was appointed by President Trump, determined that the news organizations are likely to succeed on their constitutional claims regarding the revocation of their press credentials.
Legal Basis for the Ruling
In a 26-page decision, Judge Kelly found that the revocation of the journalists' hard passes likely violated their First and Fifth Amendment rights. The court noted that the administration's actions could deter news organizations from publishing stories to which the president objects, potentially altering their reporting. The judge further stated that the plaintiffs were denied due process, as they were not provided adequate notice or an opportunity to respond before their access was revoked.
Background of the Dispute
The conflict began on September 18 when President Trump announced that reporters from the three organizations would be barred from White House grounds, citing what he termed "fake news." Following the announcement, reporters attempting to enter the White House found their credentials had been deactivated by the Secret Service. The news organizations filed a lawsuit on September 21, arguing the ban was retaliatory and unconstitutional.
Timeline
- September 18President Trump announced that reporters from CNN, MS NOW, and Politico would be banned from White House grounds.
- September 21The three news organizations filed a lawsuit challenging the ban.
- TuesdayJudge Timothy Kelly issued a preliminary injunction blocking the ban while the case proceeds.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by The Hill, CBS News Politics, Hindustan Times World.
