Court Order Brings CNN, MS NOW & Politico Back to White House

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Washington: CNN, MS NOW, and Politico reporters were allowed back into the White House on Thursday, September 24, following a federal judge's ruling that the Trump administration reinstate their press credentials. The three outlets were excluded from the White House for nearly a week after President Donald Trump issued the ban on September 18. The outlets then sued the administration, alleging that the move violated their constitutional rights.

US District Judge Timothy Kelly granted a 14-day temporary restraining order, ordering the administration to ‘immediately return, reinstate, and restore’ the journalists' White House hard passes. According to Kelly, the outlets would probably show that their credentials were removed without following the constitution's requirements for due process, which include giving them adequate notice and a chance to contest the decision.

Reporters from the three groups attempted to enter the White House on Thursday morning, but the Secret Service first turned them away despite the decision. The media outlets claimed that the government was not following the judge's ruling and requested an urgent court hearing. Around noon, their access was eventually granted, enabling reporters from Politico, CNN, and MS NOW to visit the White House grounds once more.

When Chinese President Xi Jinping travelled to Washington for a state visit and supper with Trump, the conflict started. CNN and MS NOW reported that several of its journalists were denied admission to Xi's arrival ceremony, despite the fact that their general White House access had been restored. The larger television press pool was also disrupted, with major networks cancelling pool coverage due to the controversy over CNN's exclusion.

The court struggle is not over. Kelly's order is currently valid for 14 days, while CNN, MS NOW, and Politico are pursuing longer-term protection as their lawsuit progresses. The Trump administration has defended its authority to regulate access to the White House, citing national security concerns, while the outlets claim that official access to journalists cannot be denied in reprisal for their reporting.