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A US federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to immediately restore White House access to CNN, MS NOW and Politico after the three media organisations were barred from the premises.
US District Judge Timothy Kelly issued the order on Thursday, directing the administration to return and reinstate the press credentials of journalists working for the three outlets. The temporary restraining order will remain in effect for 14 days unless the court extends or changes it.
Kelly ruled that the revocation of the journalists’ press passes was likely unconstitutional because the administration did not provide adequate due process before withdrawing their access.
The judge said journalists were entitled to receive notice and an opportunity to challenge the decision before the government could revoke their White House credentials.
President Donald Trump announced the ban on September 18, accusing CNN, MS NOW and Politico of publishing what he described as “fake news”. The three organisations subsequently sued the administration, arguing that the restrictions violated their constitutional rights.
The Trump administration defended the decision in court, arguing that the President has broad authority over access to the White House and raising national security concerns. The media organisations, however, challenged the ban on First Amendment and due process grounds.
Kelly’s ruling temporarily prevents the administration from enforcing the ban while the legal challenge proceeds, requiring the affected journalists’ White House access to be restored immediately.
