A federal judge early Thursday ordered the White House to immediately reinstate press credentials for reporters from CNN, MS NOW, and Politico, ruling that the administration's ban likely breached the Fifth Amendment's due process guarantees. The decision, issued by U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly, came after an emergency hearing and provides temporary relief for two weeks.
The three news organizations filed suit after being denied access to White House grounds on Saturday. The administration sent letters citing national security concerns, but those letters arrived only after the revocation. Judge Kelly, a Trump appointee, noted that the government did not contest that the outlets received no prior notice or hearing before their hard passes were pulled.
Kelly's ruling echoes his 2018 decision involving then-CNN reporter Jim Acosta, whose hard pass was also revoked. In both cases, the judge held that a 1977 D.C. Circuit precedent requires procedural due process when the White House arbitrarily denies press credentials. The administration had urged the court to overturn that precedent, but Kelly wrote, "Maybe—but this Court is bound by D.C. Circuit precedent, full stop."
President Trump had predicted the loss and vowed to appeal, calling Kelly "not a particularly fair judge." In court, the administration defended the ban by pointing to national security concerns and specific stories published by the outlets. However, Kelly dismissed those stories as "routine" and expressed skepticism about the national security rationale, noting that Trump himself framed the ban around "alleged lack of truthfulness and negativity" in reporting.
The White House has not yet commented on whether it will comply or seek an emergency stay. The ruling marks a significant setback for the administration's efforts to restrict media access, and it could have broader implications for press freedom. Legal challenges to the ban have been mounting, with press advocacy groups condemning the move as an attack on independent journalism.
This is not the first time the administration has clashed with the press. Earlier this week, Vice President Vance taunted CNN and Politico at a public event, underscoring the administration's hostile posture toward these outlets. The judge's order forces a temporary truce, but the underlying legal battle is far from over.
For now, CNN, MS NOW, and Politico reporters can return to the White House, but the administration's appeal could prolong the dispute. The case raises fundamental questions about the balance between executive power and press freedoms, and it will likely be watched closely by media lawyers and First Amendment advocates.
