Archive · 24 Sep 2026
CNN, MS NOW and Politico Regain White House Access
President Donald Trump blocked reporters from CNN, MS NOW and Politico from entering the White House.
The news organizations said this unfairly punished them for their reporting.
They went to court and asked for their access to be restored.
Judge Tim Kelly said the ban probably violated the reporters’ constitutional rights.
He ordered the government to stop enforcing the ban for 14 days.
The reporters were still turned away for part of Thursday, which led to an emergency court request.
The White House later said it had restored their access.
The administration said the outlets’ reporting raised national-security concerns, but the judge said the government had not provided enough evidence.
Other White House journalists temporarily stopped some shared coverage in support of the three outlets.
Federal Judge Tim Kelly ordered the Trump administration to restore White House access for CNN, MS NOW and Politico for 14 days.
The outlets were initially denied entry Thursday despite the judge’s ruling; Politico said a reporter’s credentials were confiscated.
The White House later said it reinstated the journalists’ access, with badges made available at an entry gate around 9:55 a.m.
Kelly found that revoking the journalists’ credentials likely violated constitutional due-process rights and questioned the national-security justification.
The outlets sued, arguing the ban violated First Amendment protections, while Trump and the Justice Department cited alleged false reporting and national-security concerns.
- Who
- CNN, MS NOW and Politico journalists; President Donald Trump; U.S. District Judge Tim Kelly; and the U.S. Department of Justice.
- What
- A federal judge temporarily blocked Trump’s ban on three news outlets and ordered their White House credentials and access restored, although they were initially denied entry afterward.
- When
- Thursday, September 24, after Trump announced the ban on September 18 or September 19, according to differing reports.
- Where
- The White House and its grounds in Washington, D.C.
- Why
- The outlets argued that the ban violated First Amendment and due-process protections. Trump and the Justice Department cited alleged false or negative coverage and national-security concerns.
News Outlets and Press-Freedom Supporters
Trump Administration
Press access and constitutional rights
News Outlets and Press-Freedom Supporters
CNN, MS NOW and Politico argued that barring their journalists violated First Amendment protections for free speech and a free press, as well as due-process rights. Their attorney said the ruling vindicated press freedom and the rule of law.
Trump Administration
The Justice Department argued that access to restricted presidential areas is a privilege rather than a right and that the president can control reporters’ access to such areas.
Reason for the ban
News Outlets and Press-Freedom Supporters
The outlets said the ban improperly targeted them because of their reporting and asked the court to restore access while their lawsuit proceeded.
Trump Administration
Trump said the outlets reported what he called “FICTION and LIES” and “fake news.” The Justice Department and White House press officials alleged that some coverage involved false or sensitive national-security information.
Initial denial after court order
News Outlets and Press-Freedom Supporters
The outlets said their journalists remained blocked after Kelly’s order and requested an emergency hearing, with Politico reporting that credentials were confiscated.
Trump Administration
The White House said it had begun restoring badges before the journalists’ continued difficulties entering. The reports left unclear whether the denials reflected intentional defiance or confusion in security systems.
- Affected outlets
- CNN, MS NOW and Politico
- Judge
- U.S. District Judge Tim Kelly
- Temporary order
- The ban was halted and access was ordered restored for 14 days.
- Initial Thursday response
- Reporters were still denied entry after the order; Politico said a reporter’s credentials were confiscated.
- White House response
- The White House said it began restoring press badges at 7:25 a.m. and made them available at an entry gate around 9:55 a.m.
- Constitutional issue
- Kelly said revoking the journalists’ credentials likely violated their constitutional due-process rights.
- National-security dispute
- The Justice Department cited coverage of missile stockpiles, a White House ballroom and other matters; Kelly said the record lacked factual support for the security justification.
Sources
CNN, MS NOW and Politico denied access to White House despite judge’s order
CNN, Politco And MS NOW Allowed At White House After Judge Lifts Trump Ban
Politico, MS NOW, CNN denied access to White House despite judge’s order
CNN, MS NOW, and Politico Return to the White House, Days After Trump’s September 19 Ban on Their Entry