Barred news outlets seek emergency hearing after White House continues to deny access, tell me about this news in (https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-administration/judge-ruling-white-house-restore-access-media-ban-cnn-politico-ms-now-rcna599391)
24-09-2026
Here is the background and key details regarding this news story:
Background of the BanPresident Donald Trump abruptly banned journalists from three major news outletsCNN, Politico, and MS NOWfrom entering the White House grounds, revoking their “hard passes” (press credentials). The administration initially defended the move by publicly citing negative coverage and accusing the outlets of reporting “fake news.” In later legal filings, the Department of Justice argued the action was justified on national security grounds, claiming the outlets published unauthorized or sensitive information and that White House access is a privilege rather than a constitutional right.
The Lawsuit and the Judge’s RulingThe news organizations filed a joint legal challenge arguing the ban violated:
The First Amendment, by engaging in viewpoint discrimination and retaliating against reporters based on coverage content.
The Fifth Amendment, by stripping credentials without due process or clear, pre-existing standards.
U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly issued a temporary restraining order requiring the administration to immediately return, reinstate, and restore access for the three outlets for 14 days while the lawsuit proceeds. Judge Kelly noted:
The plaintiffs are likely to succeed in demonstrating that revoking press credentials without adequate notice and opportunity to be heard violated due process.
He was skeptical of the administration’s post-hoc national security rationale, noting that the president’s own public statements focused on grievance over critical reporting.
Following the judge’s overnight order, journalists attempting to enter the White House on Thursday morning were initially turned away by the U.S. Secret Service, and some additional passes were reportedly confiscated.
Because the White House appeared to ignore or delay compliance with the court order, attorneys representing CNN, Politico, and MS NOW filed an urgent court motion requesting an immediate emergency hearing to enforce the ruling.
OutcomeShortly after the emergency filings and pushback from other media organizations covering White House events, the White House Press Operations team began reinstating the credentials, and reporters from the barred outlets were permitted back inside the White House.