CNN, MS NOW and Politico said their journalists were denied White House entry Thursday, Sept. 24, despite a judge’s order to restore access. Politico said the Secret Service confiscated one reporter’s press pass; the outlets sought an emergency hearing.
Judge Timothy Kelly ruled that Trump’s ban was imposed without “constitutionally adequate due process” and ordered the administration to restore affected journalists’ hard passes while the case proceeds. The order lasts 14 days. Kelly said the administration offered little support for its national-security argument, noting Trump had cited the outlets’ alleged negative and untruthful reporting.
The three organizations sued on Monday, Sept. 21, arguing the ban violated the First Amendment. Their lawyer, Ted Boutrous, called the ruling a vindication of press freedom and due process. Fox News, ABC, CBS and NBC said they would withhold TV pool coverage in solidarity with the banned outlets; the White House had not immediately commented.
