Journalists representing CNN, MS NOW and Politico have been allowed to return to the White House after a judge overturned Trump’s ban on the news networks.
After the ruling, White House reporters Betsy Klein of CNN and Laura Barron-Lopex of MS NOW returned to reporting live on the White House grounds Thursday afternoon. Politico confirmed in writing that one of its reporters was also granted access.
The news outlets’ victory came in an overnight ruling when U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly reinstated the networks’ access for 14 days while their legal challenge proceeds through the courts.
But, not one to follow judicial directives, by Thursday morning, reporters were still banned from the White House. Kelly then ordered the Trump administration to respond in writing by 12:30 p.m. after the journalists were denied access.
Trump announced the ban on the outlets in a post on Truth Social on Friday. He said it was “a result of their constant ‘reporting’ FAKE NEWS!”
Kelly wrote in the temporary restraining order that Trump’s ban was likely unconstitutional. He said that the plaintiffs will likely succeed in their lawsuit against the administration on the grounds that their credentials were revoked sans due process.
“This is a strong ruling vindicating freedom of the press, due process and the rule of law. We greatly appreciate the court’s swift action,” said Ted Boutrous, attorney for the plaintiffs.
Although the administration claimed the ban arose out of national security concerns, when Trump spoke to reporters after his Truth Social post, he said that the directive was a “ban on the free press,” and followed up with him not wanting them in his office.
“They purposely write negative news. And they do that because they want to try and diminish the Republicans and a Republican administration,” he said. “If they could straighten themselves out, I’d love it.”
In communications to the outlets on Tuesday, the White House said that the outlets published “sensitive security information, and misinformation,” that posed a threat to the president’s ability to maintain national security.
Trump and the MAGA movement have consistently expressed a contradictory message on free speech. One of Trump’s campaign promises for his second term included an end to censoring conservative viewpoints. However, since taking office, the administration has gone as far as targeting student activists and attempting to get late-night television shows pulled from the airwaves for comedic commentary on right-leaning figures.
