Judge Postpones Ruling on White House Media Ban
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Judge Postpones Ruling on White House Media Ban
- A federal judge on Wednesday did not immediately rule on a request to reinstate White House press credentials for three news organizations, leaving the ban in place for the time being.
- U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Kelly heard arguments in the case brought by CNN, MS NOW, and Politico, who allege their First and Fifth Amendment rights were violated.
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On Wednesday, September 23, 2026, U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Kelly, a Trump appointee, heard arguments regarding the White House’s decision to revoke press credentials for CNN, MS NOW, and Politico. The news organizations filed a joint lawsuit on Monday, September 21, asserting that the ban violates their First Amendment rights to a free press and their Fifth Amendment right to due process.
President Trump announced the ban on Friday, September 18, via social media, accusing the outlets of reporting “Fake News” and “LIES.” Journalists from these organizations were subsequently denied access to the White House and had their press passes confiscated on Saturday, September 19.
During the hearing, Judge Kelly expressed skepticism about the administration’s defense, particularly regarding whether the news outlets received adequate due process before their credentials were revoked. He noted that prior court rulings establish that journalists are entitled to due process before their White House press passes can be suspended or revoked. Lawyers for the news organizations argued that the ban was an unconstitutional act of retaliation and viewpoint discrimination for their critical coverage of the president.
In response, Justice Department lawyers defended the ban, stating that access to the White House is a “privilege, not a right,” and cited national security concerns, as well as a lack of “professionalism and decorum” in the outlets’ reporting. They also accused the outlets of publishing classified or sensitive national security information. Judge Kelly, who previously ordered the White House to restore former CNN correspondent Jim Acosta’s press pass in a similar 2018 case, said he would issue a decision “as soon as possible.”