A US federal judge has ordered the White House to restore press credentials for journalists from CNN, MS NOW and Politico, blocking the Trump administration from revoking their access for 14 days.
Judge James Boasberg Kelly said the press credentials would remain reinstated “until further Order of the Court or the expiration of this Temporary Restraining Order,” which is set to remain in effect for 14 days. He also ruled that the order could not be immediately appealed.
The Department of Justice had argued before the ruling that President Donald Trump had the authority to control reporters’ access to restricted areas of the White House, including the Oval Office.
“Access to the White House is a privilege — not a right,” the department said.
The White House Press Office accused CNN, MS NOW and Politico of publishing false or sensitive information, including reports concerning the US-Iran war and Trump’s plans for a military bunker beneath a proposed East Wing ballroom.
Theodore Boutrous, representing the media organisations, argued that Trump did not cite national security when announcing the bans and said restricting journalists over reports the government disliked was inconsistent with First Amendment protections.
Kelly said the stories cited by the White House appeared to be “routine” and questioned whether national security concerns were the actual reason for revoking the press credentials.
“The Court is skeptical — at least on this record — that Defendants’ interest in safeguarding national security is the actual motivation for, or is even advanced by, the revocation of Plaintiffs’ hard passes,” Kelly said.
Journalists from the three organisations were denied access to the White House grounds on Saturday and had their press passes confiscated.
The ruling follows a broader dispute between the Trump administration and several major US news organisations over access to the White House.
In a separate case during Trump’s first term, Kelly ordered the White House to temporarily restore access for a CNN reporter whose press pass had been revoked.
Five major US broadcasters — ABC, CBS, CNN, Fox and NBC — on Monday said they were suspending participation in the White House press pool in solidarity with CNN.
The White House Correspondents’ Association and nearly 50 news organisations also filed a court brief urging the reversal of the restrictions.
Trump later questioned CNN’s presence at the UN General Assembly in New York, telling a reporter, “I’m surprised that CNN is here covering me. You shouldn’t be here.”
The White House also launched a streaming service, Trump TV, on Monday, describing it as a platform for presidential speeches, videos and other highlights.
