CNN allowed back into White House after judge rules against Trump

CNN, MSNBC, and Politico regained access to the White House on Thursday, six days after President Donald Trump banned them. This came after a federal judge, District Judge Timothy Kelly, ordered the restoration of their press credentials, stating that the ban likely violated their constitutional due process rights. The journalists attempted to return early on Thursday ahead of a visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping but were initially turned away by the Secret Service. Later that day, they were allowed in around midday.

Reporters from CNN, MSNBC, and Politico were met with cheers from other journalists as they entered the White House. "Welcome back," several journalists said. The news organizations had requested an urgent court hearing on Thursday following their initial exclusion from the White House despite the judge's order. Judge Kelly criticized the White House's approach to expelling the three news organizations, arguing that individuals must receive notice and an opportunity to be heard before their constitutionally protected interest is deprived.

The ban on CNN, MSNBC, and Politico was imposed by Trump on Friday for distributing "fake news" and "fiction and lies." They filed a joint lawsuit asking for a temporary restraining order, arguing that the ban violated the First Amendment of the US Constitution, which upholds the right to a free press. The Department of Justice countered that the White House could control reporters' access to restricted presidential areas.

The White House Press Office accused the three news organizations of spreading "verifiable falsehoods about national security and other issues" and publishing sensitive or classified information. Judge Kelly expressed skepticism about the claim that safeguarding national security was the actual motivation for the ban. In a rare move, the top five US broadcasters halted pool coverage of the White House in solidarity with CNN, emphasizing the public's right to receive accurate, independent information about its government.