CNN, MS NOW, Politico allowed back at White House after judge ordered Trump to lift ban

A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to restore White House press credentials for three news organizations that were previously banned from the complex: CNN, MS NOW, and Politico. U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Kelly issued the temporary restraining order shortly after midnight on September 24, directing the administration to "immediately return, reinstate, and restore" the hard-pass credentials of the outlets' employees. The order is set to remain in effect for 14 days unless modified.

The three organizations filed a lawsuit on September 21, claiming that the administration violated their First and Fifth Amendment rights by removing their access without proper notice or an opportunity to challenge the decision. They requested the temporary restraining order after the White House revoked their credentials on September 18.

While some journalists from the three outlets were able to enter the White House complex on September 24, others were still turned away. It remains unclear whether the differing access was due to a delay in electronically reactivating credentials or other issues.

Judge Kelly's ruling primarily addresses due process and the administration's failure to provide journalists with notice or a hearing before revoking their press passes. He emphasized that the government did not defend against these claims and relied on prior D.C. Circuit precedent requiring the government to establish standards for revoking press passes.

The administration argued that access to executive facilities remains a privilege, not a right, and that national security concerns were the primary motivation for the revocations.

The news organizations maintain that the ban was retaliation for their critical coverage. They have argued that the national security rationale for the revocations emerged only after the lawsuit was filed. Trump has said his administration will appeal the decision, citing the previous ruling in a similar case involving CNN correspondent Jim Acosta in 2018.