Judge sides with 3 news outlets banned by White House, allowing access for now

U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly extended a block on the White House's ban of press credentials for CNN, Politico, and MS NOW, letting their reporters keep access while litigation continues. Kelly's 26-page order found no evidence Trump revoked the passes for national security reasons, noting his September 18 social media post announcing the ban cited only 'FAKE NEWS' reporting, not security concerns raised later in White House letters.

Kelly ruled the outlets are likely to prevail on both First Amendment retaliation and due process claims, saying Trump's own public comments suggested he meant to pressure the outlets' coverage. The ban had pulled credentials from 78 journalists, and other networks suspended shared White House video feeds in solidarity afterward.

A DOJ lawyer had argued White House access is 'a privilege not a right.' Kelly, a Trump first-term appointee confirmed 94-2, granted a preliminary injunction that the administration says it will appeal.

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