A federal judge has extended a block on the Trump administration's ban of CNN, MS NOW and Politico from White House grounds, granting the three news outlets a preliminary injunction that ensures their access for the foreseeable future.
U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Kelly, a Trump appointee, issued the ruling Tuesday evening, writing that the outlets are «likely to succeed not only on their due process claim, but also» on other grounds. The decision prevents the administration from revoking the hard passes of the outlets' personnel, allowing their correspondents to continue covering the White House.
The ban was imposed last month, barring the three organizations from accessing the White House grounds. The outlets challenged the move in federal court, arguing that the administration's action violated their constitutional rights. Judge Kelly's ruling sided with the news organizations, finding that they had demonstrated a likelihood of success on the merits of their case.
The preliminary injunction represents a significant legal setback for the administration's efforts to restrict access for certain media outlets. By granting the injunction, the court ensures that CNN, MS NOW and Politico can maintain their White House credentials while the litigation proceeds. The ruling cited due process concerns as a primary factor in the decision.
In response to the ruling, President Donald Trump filed a notice of appeal, signaling that the legal battle over media access to the White House is far from over. The appeal will move the case to a higher court, where the administration will seek to overturn the injunction and reinstate the ban.
The case highlights ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and major news organizations. CNN, MS NOW and Politico are among the outlets that have frequently been targets of criticism from the president. The ban had raised concerns about press freedom and the ability of journalists to report on the White House independently.
Judge Kelly's ruling emphasized that the outlets are likely to succeed on their due process claim, suggesting that the administration's actions may have violated established legal protections for the press. The injunction will remain in effect while the appeal and further legal proceedings unfold, ensuring continued access for the three outlets in the meantime.
The decision comes amid a broader national conversation about the role of the media and the boundaries of executive power. Press freedom advocates have closely monitored the case, viewing it as a test of whether the administration can selectively exclude news organizations from covering the president. The preliminary injunction preserves the status quo and allows the outlets to continue their White House coverage without interruption.
The administration's appeal will now be considered by a higher court, which could ultimately decide whether the ban can be reinstated. For now, CNN, MS NOW and Politico retain their access, and their journalists can continue to report from the White House grounds. The legal fight is expected to continue in the coming months.