Judge Orders Trump to Restore White House Press Access

U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly issued a 14-day temporary restraining order on September 24, 2026, requiring the White House to immediately restore press credentials for CNN, MS NOW, and Politico. Donald Trump had banned the three organizations on September 18, accusing them of reporting "FICTION and LIES" and "fake news." While the United States Department of Justice later argued the ban was necessary for national security, Judge Kelly rejected these claims as lacking factual support, noting the president's initial justifications focused on negative coverage.

The judge ruled that the administration likely violated the Fifth Amendment by revoking "hard passes" without providing advance notice or an opportunity for journalists to be heard. Despite the order, Secret Service agents initially blocked reporters on Thursday morning, leading to an emergency request for a hearing. Access was eventually restored by noon, though some reporters were still denied entry to a state dinner for Chinese President Xi Jinping that evening.

In solidarity with the banned outlets, major networks including ABC, CBS, Fox News, and NBC suspended the White House television pool. This boycott resulted in a lack of live American network footage during President Xi's arrival and summit meetings. In response to the media conflict, the administration launched "Trump TV," a 24/7 YouTube channel. The United States Department of Justice is now seeking to overturn a 50-year-old legal precedent that requires due process before the White House can revoke press credentials.