White House ordered to restore access to banned news outlets

A judge expressed doubt on Wednesday regarding the Trump administration's justification for barring CNN, MSNBC, and Politico from the White House, though he did not grant a temporary restraining order. The White House's decision to ban the news outlets means they continue to face a ban, depriving the public of their visual coverage.

U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly, a Trump appointee, stated the president's action might violate legal precedents that require journalists to be informed of any revocation of their press credentials. The judge plans to issue a ruling on the plaintiffs' request for injunctive relief shortly. The banned outlets requested a temporary restraining order to regain their access while the lawsuit is being heard.

Their complaint alleged violations of their First Amendment rights, a claim supported by the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press and 50 other news outlets, including Axios. The Justice Department countered that press access is a privilege, not a constitutional right, and that the revocation was for national security reasons.

The news industry has lent support to the banned outlets, with various organizations filing an amicus brief in their favor. Judge Kelly previously ruled in a 2018 CNN lawsuit that the White House violated CNN's Fifth Amendment rights by revoking his press pass without notice or an appeal process. In a 1977 case, a federal appeals court held that the White House could not selectively deny press credentials based on a journalist's viewpoint or coverage, as it was done once the space was opened as a public forum.