Archive · 9 Oct 2026
Media Outlets Fight Trump White House Ban in Court
CNN, MS NOW and Politico are asking a court to challenge a White House ban.
Judge Kelly paused the ban on September 24.
He said it likely did not give the news outlets fair treatment, as required by the Fifth Amendment.
At a hearing on Thursday, their lawyer, Theodore Boutrous, made another argument.
He said the ban also goes against the First Amendment, which protects speech.
Boutrous argued that it could make reporters less likely to publish stories that make Trump look bad.
The case is about whether the ban can stand.
CNN, MS NOW and Politico are challenging a White House ban in court.
Judge Kelly paused the ban on September 24.
Kelly said the ban likely violated the outlets’ Fifth Amendment right to due process.
At Thursday’s hearing, the outlets’ attorney Theodore Boutrous added a First Amendment argument.
Boutrous said the ban punishes speech and could discourage stories that make Trump look bad.
- Who
- CNN, MS NOW and Politico, represented by attorney Theodore Boutrous, are challenging the ban.
- What
- The outlets are fighting a White House ban in court and argue it violates their constitutional rights.
- When
- Judge Kelly paused the ban on September 24; the outlets’ attorney added a First Amendment argument at a Thursday hearing.
- Where
- In court; the ban is associated with the White House.
- Why
- The outlets argue the ban violates due process and punishes speech, potentially discouraging critical stories.
News outlets
White House
Constitutional challenge to the ban
News outlets
CNN, MS NOW and Politico argue the ban violates their Fifth Amendment due-process rights and First Amendment protections for speech.
White House
The White House’s opposing position is not described in the provided article text.
Effect on reporting
News outlets
Boutrous says the ban punishes speech and could deter reporters from publishing stories that make Trump look bad.
White House
The White House’s response to this claim is not described in the provided article text.
- Outlets
- CNN, MS NOW and Politico
- Attorney
- Theodore Boutrous
- Ban status
- Paused by Judge Kelly on September 24
- Due process argument
- Kelly said the ban likely violated the outlets’ Fifth Amendment right to due process.
- Free speech argument
- Boutrous argued that the ban punishes speech under the First Amendment.
- Potential effect cited
- Boutrous said reporters could be discouraged from publishing stories that make Trump look bad.