US Judge Orders Trump to Restore White House Access for CNN, MS NOW and Politico
A federal judge ruled that President Trump's ban on White House access for CNN, MS NOW and Politico journalists is likely unconstitutional and ordered it lifted.
US District Judge Tim Kelly ruled on Thursday that President Donald Trump's September 18 ban on White House access for journalists from CNN, MS NOW and Politico is likely unconstitutional, ordering their access restored. The ruling came in a lawsuit the three news organizations filed to challenge the ban.
Trump had posted on social media that the outlets "shouldn't be able to constantly write or report FICTION and LIES," while Justice Department lawyers had attempted to justify the ban on national security grounds. Journalists from the three organizations were denied entry to the White House grounds and had their credentials confiscated on Saturday.
Judge Kelly, a Trump appointee, had previously ordered the White House to temporarily restore access for a CNN reporter during Trump's first term in a similar case.
Broadcasters show solidarity
In a rare joint move, the top five US broadcasters — ABC, CBS, CNN, Fox and NBC — announced Monday they were suspending pool coverage of the White House in solidarity with CNN. The networks said the public has a vital interest in receiving accurate, independent information about its government and that no administration should restrict an outlet over its reporting. The White House Correspondents' Association and nearly 50 news organizations also filed a court brief urging the bans be reversed.
On Tuesday, at the UN General Assembly in New York, Trump told a CNN reporter he was surprised the network was covering him there and suggested they shouldn't be. On Monday evening, the White House launched a streaming channel called "Trump TV," describing it as offering top videos and highlights around the clock. Trump has long criticized media outlets over coverage he considers unfavorable toward his campaigns and administrations.
