Journalists from three news outlets were granted re-entry to the White House after a federal judge ruled their recent ban likely violated constitutional due process rights.
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ManyPress Editorial
Key facts
- •President Trump banned CNN, MS NOW, and Politico from the White House on September 18.
- •Judge Timothy Kelly issued a 14-day temporary restraining order to reinstate the journalists' access.
- •The administration argued that access to the White House is a privilege rather than a right.
- •Reporters were initially denied entry on Thursday morning before being allowed onto the grounds around midday.
- •The White House cited concerns over the disclosure of sensitive information as a basis for the original revocation.
Journalists from CNN, MS NOW, and Politico were allowed to return to the White House on Thursday following a federal court order. U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly had issued a temporary restraining order requiring the administration to restore the reporters' access for 14 days while their legal challenge proceeds. The outlets had been barred from the premises for nearly a week after President Donald Trump revoked their credentials.
Court Ruling and Initial Enforcement
Judge Timothy Kelly ruled that the administration’s decision to revoke the press passes likely violated the outlets' constitutional due process rights, noting that they were not given notice or an opportunity to be heard. Although the judge ordered the access restored, reporters attempting to enter the grounds on Thursday morning were initially turned away by the Secret Service. Following the denial of entry, the judge ordered the administration to respond in writing. White House press operations director Micah Stopperich later stated that the administration began restoring access after 7 a.m. and that the Secret Service confirmed the passes were reactivated by 9 a.m.
Background of the Dispute
President Trump announced the ban on September 18, citing what he described as the distribution of "fake news," "fiction and lies," and critical coverage. The White House Press Office further alleged that the outlets had trafficked in falsehoods regarding national security and disclosed sensitive information, including details about a planned military bunker. In response, the news organizations filed a joint lawsuit arguing that the ban violated the First Amendment.
Timeline
- September 18President Trump banned CNN, MS NOW, and Politico from the White House.
- Thursday morningReporters were initially turned away by the Secret Service despite the judge's order.
- Thursday afternoonJournalists from the three outlets were allowed back onto the White House grounds.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by NBC Politics, Nikkei Asia, Straits Times World, The Japan Times.
