Federal judge orders White House to restore credentials for CNN, MS NOW, and Politico

Federal injunction orders return of credentials

Federal District Judge Timothy Kelly issued a preliminary injunction in the overnight hours between 23 and 24 September, directing the Trump administration to immediately restore permanent White House access badges for reporters from CNN, MS NOW, and Politico. The order remains valid for a two-week period to allow the legal challenge brought by the three news organizations to proceed through the court. Judge Kelly concluded that the sudden revocation of credentials without warning or a hearing likely violated constitutional guarantees of due process under the Fifth Amendment. In his written order, the magistrate rejected the federal government's claim that excluding the journalists was necessary to protect national security. The legal posture mirrors a 2018 case handled by Judge Kelly, in which the court ordered the restoration of a press pass for CNN correspondent Jim Acosta following a confrontation with Donald Trump.

The general rule is that individuals must be notified in advance and have an opportunity to be heard before the government deprives them of a constitutionally protected interest.

Origin of the presidential ban

The standoff began on 18 September when Donald Trump announced that journalists from CNN, MS NOW, and Politico would be barred from the White House complex with immediate effect. The president accused the three outlets of circulating false information, though the administration presented no supporting documentation for the accusation. Security officials implemented the ban the following day, 19 September, disabling the electronic hard passes used by correspondents to enter the presidential grounds. During the initial enforcement, reporters encountered deactivated entry systems, including an MS NOW correspondent whose badge produced a flashing red indicator at the perimeter checkpoint. Donald Trump justified the decision by asserting that entrance to the executive mansion is a presidential privilege rather than an enforceable legal right.

Legal filings and press corps reaction

On 21 September, CNN, MS NOW, and Politico submitted a joint federal lawsuit challenging the exclusions on constitutional grounds. The complaint cited violations of the First Amendment, which protects freedom of the press, and the Fifth Amendment, which safeguards procedural due process before the removal of government-granted interests. In response to the administration's actions, several national television networks and news photojournalists curtailed parts of their routine coverage of the president's public activities. Trump acknowledged before the ruling that the district court would probably favor the news organizations, indicating that government attorneys planned to seek an appeal in higher courts.

Access blocked despite the judicial order

Compliance issues emerged rapidly on Thursday following the release of the judicial decision. Journalists representing both Politico and CNN attempted to resume their reporting duties at the executive mansion on 24 September but were turned away by security officers at the gates. Politico disclosed on social media that one of its correspondents was barred from entering and had their credential confiscated by personnel on site. CNN confirmed that its correspondent encountered an identical refusal of entry during the same morning. Inquiries sent by Politico to the White House press office regarding the failure to comply with the court ruling went unanswered.