Federal Judge Blocks Trump’s White House Media Ban and Orders Press Access Restored

A federal judge ordered President Donald Trump on Thursday to restore White House access for journalists from CNN, MS NOW and Politico. US District Judge Tim Kelly said the ban, announced September 18, is likely unconstitutional. He told the administration to return the press passes immediately and barred enforcement of the ban for 14 days.

National Security Claim Rejected

Justice Department lawyers said the ban protected national security, arguing that access is a privilege and the president can suspend it. Kelly found no factual support for that claim. He also pointed out that Trump himself blamed the outlets’ alleged untruthfulness and negativity.

First Amendment and Due Process Lawsuit

The outlets sued on Monday, saying the ban violated free speech, free press and due process rights. Kelly said two D.C. Circuit precedents entitle journalists to due process before passes are revoked. The White House did not appear to give a meaningful chance to contest the decision, and its explanation letters arrived Tuesday, after the revocation and the lawsuit.

Press Freedom Groups Back the Outlets

A coalition including the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, the Washington Post and Fox News argued that punishing outlets for perceived editorial viewpoint violates decades of Supreme Court rulings.

The fight comes weeks before the November 3 midterms, with Trump’s approval at record lows amid the Iran war and inflation.