Trump Admin Appeals Ruling Blocking CNN, MS NOW and Politico White House Ban

The Trump administration formally appealed a judge's ruling on Wednesday that blocked CNN, MS NOW and Politico from accessing the White House. Justice Department lawyers filed a notice of appeal to overturn U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly's preliminary injunction issued the previous day. The order preserved the three outlets' press credentials at the White House while their lawsuit continues, setting the stage for another legal battle over the administration's power to restrict reporters' access.

Kelly concluded that the news organizations were likely to win their First Amendment and due process claims, stating that Trump's discontent with their coverage, not national security concerns, likely spurred the ban. The appeal does not automatically nullify the judge's order, allowing the outlets to retain their credentials for the moment.

The White House had previously vowed to contest the decision, describing it as "misguided." Trump announced the ban via a September 18 social media post, alleging that the outlets disseminated false information. CNN, MS NOW and Politico filed a lawsuit three days later, contending that the administration had retaliated against them for their reporting.

Initially, Kelly restored their access via a temporary restraining order on September 24 before issuing Tuesday's preliminary injunction. The ban impacted 78 journalists across the three news organizations, whose credentials were abruptly revoked without prior notice or the chance to contest the decision. Kelly, a Trump appointee, determined that the administration had not sufficiently justified the restrictions on national security grounds.

However, the ruling does not ensure the outlets' access to presidential press pools. CNN has encountered limitations on participating in White House television pool assignments, while Politico was barred from an Air Force One trip even after the court reinstated its credentials. Those restrictions are distinct from the direct access privileges safeguarded by Kelly's injunction.

The announcement of the Trump administration's appeal of the ruling blocking CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House first surfaced on TheWrap.