CNN, MS NOW, and Politico have petitioned a federal judge to prolong an order that prevents the White House from limiting their access. This move comes as they continue their legal battle against President Donald Trump’s decision to bar these media outlets.
The news organizations have asked US District Judge Timothy Kelly in Washington to issue a preliminary injunction to maintain the current restrictions on hold until a final court decision is reached. Previously, Kelly granted a 14-day temporary restraining order, concluding that the outlets were likely to prove their press credentials were revoked without constitutionally sufficient due process.
President Trump announced the ban on September 18, accusing the outlets of disseminating false and misleading information. He claimed the ban was a response to a consistent pattern of unfavorable coverage rather than an isolated incident. The White House also indicated that other media organizations might face similar restrictions in the future.
In a lawsuit filed on September 21, the outlets contended that the ban constituted unconstitutional viewpoint discrimination under the First Amendment and violated their Fifth Amendment due process rights, as their credentials were revoked without prior notice or an opportunity to respond.
The Justice Department defended the ban, asserting that Trump acted within his authority after determining that the outlets’ reporting on the Iran war and White House construction posed a national security threat by revealing classified information. However, in his ruling on the temporary restraining order, Judge Kelly expressed skepticism that national security concerns were the true reason behind the credential revocations.
Following Kelly’s order, the White House reinstated the journalists’ access, although the outlets reported that some reporters were initially still denied entry despite the ruling.
This dispute is part of a broader series of confrontations between Trump and the news media throughout his presidency. He has frequently criticized outlets whose coverage he disapproves of, initiated legal actions against several major organizations, and changed long-established practices regarding White House press access, including elevating newer media outlets. The case now serves as a significant test of the extent to which a president can restrict journalists’ access to the White House within constitutional boundaries.
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