A US federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to reinstate White House access for reporters from CNN, MS NOW, and Politico after their press credentials were revoked last week.
The ban, announced by President Donald Trump, was imposed as punishment for what he described as “fake news” and “fiction and lies.”
The three outlets filed a joint lawsuit, arguing that the move violated the First Amendment’s protection of a free press.
Judge Timothy Kelly ruled that the revocation of press passes “likely violated their constitutional due process rights,” noting that journalists must be given notice and an opportunity to respond before being deprived of a constitutionally protected interest.
The temporary restraining order will remain in effect for 14 days and cannot be immediately appealed.
The Department of Justice had argued that access to the White House is a privilege, not a right, and that the president can control reporters’ entry into restricted areas.
However, Judge Kelly expressed skepticism that national security concerns were the true motivation behind the bans, describing the cited stories as “routine.”
The White House had accused the outlets of publishing falsehoods and sensitive information, including reports on the US-Iran war and alleged construction of a secret bunker.
Lawyers for the media organizations countered that punishing journalists for reporting on national security issues undermines press freedom.
The ruling marks the latest clash between Trump and mainstream media, whom he has frequently labeled the “enemy of the people.”
In solidarity, major US broadcasters temporarily halted pool coverage of the White House earlier this week, while nearly 50 news organizations joined the legal brief supporting CNN, MS NOW, and Politico.
This is not the first time Judge Kelly has intervened in a press access dispute. During Trump’s first term, he ordered the White House to restore credentials for a CNN reporter whose pass had been revoked.
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