CNN, MS NOW, Politico call on judge to block White House ban

CNN, MSNBC and Politico are set to appear in a Washington federal court on Thursday, seeking a judge's order to maintain their access to the White House. This request comes after President Donald Trump revoked their passes, claiming the outlets had published "FAKE NEWS." The ban came just a day after US District Judge Timothy Kelly temporarily halted Trump's order, citing a potential violation of the outlets' Fifth Amendment rights to fair treatment.

The three news organizations are asking the court to issue a preliminary injunction to block the ban until a final ruling is made. They argue that Trump's decision was an act of unlawful retaliation for their reporting. They also contend that the administration fabricated national security concerns to justify the ban. The Justice Department, however, contends that the outlets jeopardized national security by publishing classified information, citing reports about the construction of Trump's White House ballroom and attendance at a recent Republican midterm convention.

Judge Kelly expressed skepticism during a September 23 hearing about the government's assertions. His decision in Trump's first term prevented the president from unilaterally revoking CNN reporter Jim Acosta's White House pass, deeming the decision as lacking transparency and fairness. This legal dispute unfolds just weeks before the November 3 midterm elections, during which Trump's Republican allies are striving to maintain control of Congress.

Recent opinion polls show a decline in Trump's job approval ratings, stemming from concerns over the Iran conflict and inflation.