Federal judge orders reinstatement of White House press access for CNN, MS NOW, and Politico six days after Trump's ban, citing constitutional due process concerns. The decision comes as legal experts warn the press ban faces prolonged court challenges.
CNN, MS NOW, and Politico were initially denied entry to the White House on Thursday despite a federal judge's order, but later granted access. The judge ruled that revoking the media outlets' credentials likely violated their First Amendment rights, rejecting claims of national security threats.
The ruling underscores the judiciary's role in safeguarding press freedom, with the judge emphasizing that the White House must follow due process before restricting access. The decision follows a legal battle where the government argued access to the White House is a privilege, not a right, while the media outlets contended the ban was a violation of free speech.
Judge Timothy Kelly rejected the government's assertion that national security concerns justified the ban, stating the record lacks factual support for such claims. The decision has led to broader media solidarity, with top U.S. broadcasters halting pooled coverage of Trump events in support of the media outlets.