Archive · 24 Sep 2026
Reporters remain barred as court orders White House access
A judge told the White House to let reporters from three news organizations back inside.
The organizations are Politico, MS NOW and CNN.
Even after the judge’s order, some reporters said they were still blocked.
One reporter said a security credential was taken away.
Another said the problem might have been a computer or entry-system mistake.
The White House has not publicly explained what happened.
The judge’s order will last for two weeks while the larger legal case continues.
The dispute is about whether the government can restrict reporters’ access and still respect press freedoms.
The access dispute happened as Donald Trump met Xi Jinping in Washington.
A federal judge ordered the White House to restore access for Politico, MS NOW and CNN reporters.
Reporters from all three outlets said they were still denied entry hours after the ruling.
Politico said one reporter’s credentials were confiscated, while an MS NOW reporter cited a possible technical glitch.
The temporary restraining order, issued by Judge Timothy J. Kelly, will remain in effect for two weeks.
Trump and Xi Jinping are meeting in Washington to discuss trade, artificial intelligence safeguards and geopolitical tensions.
- Who
- Politico, MS NOW and CNN reporters; President Donald Trump; Chinese leader Xi Jinping; and U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Kelly.
- What
- Reporters from three outlets were reportedly denied White House entry despite a court order requiring their access to be restored.
- When
- On Thursday; the temporary restraining order will remain in effect for two weeks.
- Where
- The White House in Washington, D.C.
- Why
- The stated reason for the continued denial was unclear; the dispute concerns media access, First Amendment claims and the administration’s national-security justifications.
Media organizations
Administration rationale
Access and press freedom
Media organizations
Politico, MS NOW and CNN contend that restricting their White House access raises First Amendment concerns, and reporters said access had not been restored despite the court order.
Administration rationale
The legal case will consider the administration’s national-security justifications for restricting access; the White House had not publicly responded to the reported continued denials.
Reason reporters remained blocked
Media organizations
Reporters described the continued exclusion as potentially inconsistent with the judge’s order, with Politico reporting that credentials were confiscated.
Administration rationale
MS NOW reporter Laura Barrón-López said it was unclear whether the denial reflected deliberate defiance of the order or a technical problem with the entry system.
- Court ruling
- A federal judge temporarily blocked Trump’s ban and ordered access restored.
- Affected outlets
- Politico, MS NOW and CNN
- Reported access problems
- Politico said a reporter’s credentials were confiscated; MS NOW and CNN personnel were also reportedly denied entry.
- Judge
- U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Kelly, a Trump nominee
- Order duration
- Two weeks
- Legal next step
- The court will hold expedited briefing on a motion for a preliminary injunction.
- Trump-Xi meeting
- The leaders are expected to discuss trade irritants, artificial intelligence safeguards and the war in Iran.