White House denies entry to CNN, Politico reporters despite court order
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IN SHORT
Journalists from CNN, Politico, and MS NOW were denied access to the White House on Thursday, September 24, hours after a federal judge ordered the Trump administration to restore their press credentials. The news organizations subsequently asked the court for an emergency hearing, arguing the administration had not complied with the order.
Who's Involved
CNN
reporter denied White House access despite court order
Politico
reporter denied White House access despite court order
MS NOW
reporter denied White House access despite court order
Donald Trump
accused news outlets of publishing 'fake news' and banned access
Timothy Kelly
US District Judge who ordered reinstatement of press credentials
↳ Why This Matters
The dispute highlights tensions between the White House and news organizations over press access and raises questions about the government's ability to regulate media credentials, potentially impacting the flow of information.
Key facts
CNN, MS NOW, and Politico reporters were denied White House access on Thursday, September 24.
A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to restore the reporters' press credentials.
The White House's refusal to admit reporters came hours after the judge's order.
The judge's order is a temporary restraining order set to last 14 days.
The judge found the administration's decision to revoke credentials likely violated due-process rights.
President Trump announced the ban on September 18, accusing the outlets of publishing 'fake news'.
Journalists from CNN, Politico, and MS NOW were denied entry to the White House on Thursday, September 24, despite a federal judge ordering the Trump administration to restore their press credentials. The three news organizations subsequently asked the court for an emergency hearing, arguing that the administration had not complied with the order.
President Donald Trump had announced the ban on September 18, accusing the outlets of repeatedly publishing what he described as "fake news." The following day, reporters from the three outlets reported their White House credentials had been deactivated.
US District Judge Timothy Kelly issued a temporary restraining order early Thursday morning in the lawsuit brought by CNN, MS NOW, and Politico. The order directs the administration to "immediately return, reinstate, and restore" the journalists’ White House hard-pass credentials for 14 days. Kelly stated the administration’s decision to revoke the credentials likely violated the journalists’ constitutional due-process rights, focusing on the absence of adequate notice and an opportunity for the affected journalists to challenge the decision before their access was revoked. The ruling does not represent a final decision on the broader First Amendment dispute but temporarily restores access while the case proceeds.
The White House defended its decision by arguing that access to the White House is a privilege, not a constitutional right. The three outlets filed a federal lawsuit on September 21, arguing the ban violated the First Amendment's protections for freedom of the press and the Fifth Amendment's guarantee of due process, partly on the claim that the government retaliated against them due to their reporting.
Frequently asked questions
A temporary restraining order (TRO) is a short-term court order that compels a party to do or refrain from doing a specific act. It is typically issued in urgent situations to prevent irreparable harm while a case is pending, and it remains in effect for a limited period, usually 14 days, until a more formal hearing can be held.
The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution prohibits Congress from making any law that abridges the freedom of speech or of the press. This protection is understood to safeguard the media's ability to report news and express opinions without government censorship or undue interference.
Due-process rights are legal protections that ensure fair treatment through the normal judicial system. They guarantee that individuals cannot be deprived of life, liberty, or property without proper legal procedures, including adequate notice of charges and an opportunity to be heard.
What Happens Next
01The news organizations asked the court for an emergency hearing regarding the White House's compliance with the order.
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How It Developed
Reporters from CNN, MS NOW, and Politico were denied entry to the White House on Thursday, September 24.
US District Judge Timothy Kelly issued a temporary restraining order requiring the Trump administration to immediately reinstate the reporters' press credentials.
The news organizations asked the court for an emergency hearing, arguing the administration had not complied with the order.
