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Court Blocks Trump’s White House Media Ban: Judge Restores Access for CNN, MS NOW and Politico Journalists (Images: Dynamite News)
Washington DC, September 24: A US federal judge has overturned the Trump administration’s decision to block journalists from CNN, MS NOW and Politico from accessing the White House, calling the move unconstitutional and ruling that proper legal procedures were not followed.
US District Judge Tim Kelly issued the order on Wednesday night after the three news organisations challenged the administration’s decision in court. The ruling directs the White House to restore press access for journalists from the affected outlets.
The case has emerged as a major legal battle over media access, press freedom and the relationship between the US government and news organisations.
Judge Tim Kelly questioned whether the administration had followed required procedures before removing the journalists’ hard press passes and restricting their access to the White House complex.
During the hearing, Kelly observed that “due process wasn’t followed here,” according to reports. The judge’s decision came after CNN, MS NOW and Politico filed a First Amendment lawsuit challenging the restrictions. The ruling is notable as Kelly himself was appointed to the federal bench by Donald Trump.
The Trump administration had justified the ban, accusing the three media organisations of repeatedly publishing what Trump described as “fiction and lies.” The Justice Department argued in court that White House access is a privilege rather than a constitutional right. Officials said the president has authority to limit access to certain areas of the White House to protect sensitive information, including national security-related matters.
The dispute gained wider attention after the five major television networks involved in the rotating White House press pool reportedly withdrew from the arrangement in solidarity with CNN, MS NOW and Politico.
Representatives for the news organisations argued that restricting access to journalists raised serious First Amendment concerns, particularly during a period when major international events and diplomatic meetings were taking place in Washington.
The court order marks another significant confrontation between the Trump administration and media organisations over press access and government transparency. The decision allows CNN, MS NOW and Politico journalists to return to White House coverage while the broader legal battle over presidential authority and media rights continues.
