A federal judge ruled that President Donald Trump likely broke the law by banning journalists from CNN, MS NOW, and Politico from White House access. US District Judge Timothy Kelly issued a preliminary injunction on Tuesday, extending the temporary access he granted last month. The ruling will remain until a final judgment unless an appeals court intervenes.
Kelly’s written decision followed his emergency order on September 24 that immediately restored the journalists’ White House credentials. The judge challenged the Justice Department’s claim that the ban was justified on national security grounds. Instead, he pointed to Trump’s own statements indicating the ban was a response to what the president called “FICTION and LIES” in their reporting.
The news outlets and press freedom groups filed a lawsuit arguing that the White House revoked their passes in retaliation for their coverage. They cited violations of the First Amendment’s protections for free speech and a free press, as well as breaches of due process rights. The Justice Department defended the ban, accusing the outlets of endangering national security by publishing classified information, including stories on US missile stockpiles, the construction of Trump’s White House ballroom, and attendance figures at a recent Republican midterm convention.
At a hearing on October 8, attorney Theodore Boutrous, representing the news organisations, told Judge Kelly, “Here we have the unusual situation where the president himself has said he wants to chill speech. He wants to coerce better coverage.” Justice Department lawyer Michael Velchik countered, arguing that the outlets engaged in “apparently indefensible conduct.”
The dispute over press access is unfolding weeks before the November 3 midterm elections, where Republicans aim to hold control of Congress. Trump’s approval ratings have hit record lows as inflation and the Iran war weigh on public opinion.
Trump announced the ban in September on his social media platform, singling out CNN, MS NOW, and Politico for what he described as persistent “FICTION and LIES” in their coverage of his administration. His approach has upended decades of presidential tradition by denying access to major news organisations, launching personal attacks on reporters, and elevating media outlets perceived as more sympathetic.
The White House restored access to the banned journalists after Judge Kelly’s September order, which stated the ban “likely violated their constitutional due process rights.” Kelly’s decision raised doubts about the Justice Department’s national security arguments, noting that Trump explicitly tied the ban to dissatisfaction with the coverage rather than genuine security concerns.
The Justice Department cited specific stories, including reports on missile stockpiles and White House ballroom construction, as justifications for the ban. The news organisations dismissed these claims as manufactured pretexts to retaliate against critical reporting.
The case continues to unfold, with the preliminary injunction keeping the journalists’ White House access intact as legal proceedings advance. The ruling represents another legal setback for Trump in his ongoing disputes with the media.
According to Joy Online.
