CNN, MS Now, Politico Win White House Access Ruling

A US district judge has ordered the Trump administration to reinstate White House access for journalists at CNN, MS Now and Politico, finding that the administration’s ban on the outlets was likely unconstitutional.

US District Judge Tim Kelly issued the ruling in response to a lawsuit filed by the three news organisations against the restrictions announced by the president on 18 September. Kelly said his order should remain in place for 14 days.

Court Order To Reinstate Access

In his decision, Kelly said the administration should restore access for the affected journalists while the court considers the legal challenge. The judge set the stay for 14 days, rather than issuing a final ruling on the ban’s legality.

The case centres on a restriction that involved removal of journalists’ White House “hard passes”, a form of credential that allows access to the President’s residence and press operations.

Notice And Opportunity To Be Heard

Kelly based the order on established case law addressing how and when such credentials can be suspended or revoked. He said that, before a journalist’s access is taken away, the journalist is entitled to a process that includes advance notice of the alleged infraction and an opportunity to respond.

The judge said prior decisions made clear that “before a journalist’s White House hard pass was suspended or revoked, that the journalist was entitled to pre-deprivation notice and an opportunity to be heard”.

On Wednesday, Kelly referenced earlier rulings that required a distinct process, including notice and the chance to be heard, before deprivation of credentialed access.

Administration Cites National Security

The Trump administration has argued that the ban was justified on national security grounds, according to the request from Justice Department lawyers seeking to uphold the restriction.

The controversy follows the president’s public comments on social media, where he said that the three outlets “shouldn’t be able to constantly write or report FICTION and LIES”.

The outlets’ lawsuit challenges the administration’s actions and seeks court intervention to reverse the restriction, arguing it was imposed without the procedural safeguards required under the law as reflected in earlier cases.

Temporary Relief Pending Further Review

Kelly’s order does not end the dispute, but it requires the administration to restore access for a limited period. The court’s temporary decision keeps the media organisations’ credentials active during the 14-day window set by the judge.

The ruling underscores the procedural expectations for credential-related decisions affecting journalists at the White House, while the broader challenge continues through the legal process.

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24 September 2026