CNN, MS NOW and Politico say the Secret Service again barred their reporters from the White House despite a judge's order restoring access. The outlets have requested an urgent hearing, alleging the White House defied the order.
Judge Timothy Kelly ruled that the outlets' credentials had been revoked without notice or an opportunity to challenge the decision, violating due-process protections. Their joint lawsuit argued that the ban also violated the First Amendment.
Justice Department lawyers defended the bans on national-security grounds, citing a report about plans for a bunker beneath the East Wing. The outlets' lawyer said security was not cited when the ban was announced. Kelly noted the story had appeared months earlier and CNN reporter Betsy Klein's pass was renewed afterward, undermining the government's timeline.
