WASHINGTON — A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order early Thursday, mandating that the White House immediately restore press credentials to CNN, MS NOW, and Politico. The ruling marks a significant legal setback for the Trump administration, which had moved to bar the three news organizations from the White House grounds on September 18.
U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly, who was nominated to the bench by President Trump in 2017, granted the 14-day temporary restraining order following a contentious hearing held on Wednesday. The order is intended to preserve the status quo while the court conducts a more comprehensive review of the legal arguments presented by both parties.
The showdown stems from the President’s vocal and persistent criticism of the media, which he frequently labels as “fake news.” In recent weeks, the administration had doubled down on its position, with the President asserting that negative coverage of his term is not merely unfavorable, but inherently dangerous to the stability of the country.
The media organizations filed suit against the administration, arguing that the revocation of their access was a clear act of viewpoint discrimination. Their legal counsel characterized the ban as a “blatant violation” of the First Amendment, arguing that the White House had singled out specific outlets for retribution based solely on the content of their reporting rather than legitimate security or decorum concerns.
This is not the first time Judge Kelly has found himself at the center of such a constitutional dispute. In 2018, he oversaw a strikingly similar case involving the revocation of a CNN journalist’s press pass, ultimately ruling in favor of the network and ordering that the credential be restored. That precedent weighed heavily on the proceedings this week.
During Wednesday’s hearing, lawyers for the administration defended the move as a matter of presidential prerogative, while the media outlets pressed the court to recognize the implications of the ban on freedom of the press. After hearing hours of arguments, Judge Kelly concluded the session without an immediate decision, leaving the media outlets in limbo until the written order was released early Thursday morning.
The 14-day window provided by the judge gives both the administration and the media outlets time to prepare for more substantial litigation regarding the long-term status of the journalists’ access.
As of Thursday morning, the White House had not released an official statement regarding the judge’s order, and it remains unclear whether the administration will comply immediately or seek an emergency stay of the order. The case remains a high-stakes flashpoint in the ongoing tension between the executive branch and the press corps.
This is a developing news story. Check back for updates.
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