White House 'repeatedly violated' court order to restore press access, say media outlets

Three prominent news organizations have filed an urgent request for a court hearing, alleging that the White House has persistently disregarded a judge's directive to reinstate their press access. Journalists from CNN, Politico, and MS NOW all encountered denials on Thursday morning, with some experiencing the confiscation of their credentials, while others were granted entry.

Judge Timothy Kelly issued an order on Thursday morning, stating that the White House's ban on the outlets likely violated their constitutional rights. President Trump had initially claimed the ban was due to "fake news," but later cited national security concerns. The reason behind the selective refusal of access remains uncertain, potentially due to administrative delays or efforts to comply with the court's order.

The dispute is expected to impact television coverage as President Trump is set to receive Chinese President Xi Jinping at the White House for a state dinner. CNN confirmed that several of its reporters were denied entry, including senior White House reporter Betsy Klein, while a producer was permitted to enter. Politico reported a similar situation, with one of its reporters denied access and having his credentials confiscated, whereas a producer was granted entry.

MS NOW also disclosed that its White House reporter Laura Barrón-López and a producer were barred and had their passes taken away, but another producer was allowed in. As of now, the White House has not commented on the ruling, and the president's attorneys may pursue additional legal measures.