Federal Judge Blocks White House From Banning CNN, MS NOW and Politico, Citing First Amendment
A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to keep allowing journalists from CNN, MS NOW and Politico onto the White House complex while their lawsuit over revoked press credentials moves forward. U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly issued the preliminary injunction Tuesday in Washington, D.C.
The administration revoked the outlets’ “hard pass” credentials in mid-September, with President Trump criticizing their coverage. The outlets sued, and Kelly had previously issued a temporary order restoring access. In his latest ruling, he found that the plaintiffs were likely to succeed on due-process and First Amendment claims. The court’s earlier order and the plaintiffs’ injunction motion are available through CourtListener.
The judge pointed to comments by Trump suggesting he wanted the credential revocations to affect the outlets’ reporting. The case raises a consequential question: can the government withdraw press access because it dislikes what a newsroom publishes? Kelly’s ruling is preliminary, not a final decision on the lawsuit.
For readers, the dispute matters beyond national media organizations. The outcome could help define how federal officials treat local and independent journalists covering government. The injunction keeps the outlets’ access to the White House complex in place, but does not settle access to restricted settings such as the Oval Office or Air Force One.
The administration has indicated it plans to appeal, but the injunction remains in effect as of Wednesday, with no appellate stay reported. The case will continue, and its eventual outcome may clarify the limits of press access for future administrations.
How should the government balance security and operational needs with fair access for journalists? Follow Brownstone Worldwide for continuing coverage.
