CNN, MS NOW, Politico ask judge to extend block against Trump's White House press ban

On Monday, CNN, MSNBC and Politico requested that a federal judge issue an order to maintain their access to the White House while contesting President Donald Trump’s decision to ban them for unfavorable coverage. The news organizations applied for a preliminary injunction to halt Trump’s bans until a final ruling is made in the case.

Currently, US District Judge Timothy Kelly is handling their case in Washington, D.C. federal court. Judge Kelly had previously issued a 14-day temporary restraining order blocking the bans, deeming them likely to infringe upon the news outlets’ rights to fair legal treatment. In their September 21 lawsuit, CNN, MSNBC and Politico argued that Trump’s bans constituted unlawful viewpoint discrimination under the First Amendment of the Constitution, which safeguards free speech and free press rights.

The Justice Department contended that Trump lawfully barred the outlets after assessing their coverage as a threat to national security due to the disclosure of classified information. Trump announced his bans on September 18 via social media, stating that he was doing so for "reporting FAKE NEWS" and asserting that such publications should not be permitted to spread "FICTION and LIES."

The president has often engaged in conflict with the media during his second term and has personally sued outlets, including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and BBC, for defamation.