A US federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to restore White House access for journalists from CNN, MS NOW and Politico, temporarily blocking a ban imposed on the three news organisations.
US District Judge Timothy Kelly issued a temporary restraining order requiring the administration to immediately return and restore the journalists’ White House press credentials. The order will remain in effect for 14 days while the court considers the wider legal dispute.
The three media organisations had sued the Trump administration, arguing that their exclusion violated their constitutional rights, including protections for freedom of the press and due process. The administration had argued that access to the White House is a privilege and defended the restrictions partly on national-security grounds.
Judge Kelly said the outlets were likely to succeed in their claim that their press passes were revoked without proper due process. He also expressed skepticism about the government's national-security justification, saying the record did not provide sufficient factual support for that argument.
The ruling does not permanently resolve the case. It temporarily restores access while the legal challenge continues, and further court proceedings are expected.