Three major news organizations regained White House access after a federal judge issued a temporary restraining order against the Trump administration, resolving a high-profile press credentials dispute. CNN, MS NOW, and Politico reporters were back on grounds following the ruling by US District Judge Timothy Kelly, though broader media blackouts and solidarity boycotts disrupted coverage of an official state visit by Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
Federal Judge Restores Press Passes in Due Process Ruling
US District Judge Timothy Kelly ordered the White House to immediately return, reinstate, and restore press access for CNN, MS NOW, and Politico after finding the outlets met legal thresholds for a temporary restraining order. Kelly, who was nominated by Donald Trump in 2017, ruled that the administration likely revoked the press passes without due process. The judge noted that the standard of objectionable reporting outlined in White House warning letters was so vague it hardly did the trick. He also rejected the administration’s national security argument, pointing out that Trump initially focused solely on negative coverage. Theodore Boutrous Jr., attorney for the news outlets, stated on MS NOW that the quick ruling vindicated freedom of the press and the rule of law.
The temporary restraining order runs for two weeks. Judge Kelly set an October 5 deadline for both sides to file arguments regarding a longer-lasting preliminary injunction, promising to rule expeditiously. Justice Department attorney Michael Velchik argued during the hearing that White House access remains a privilege rather than a right and that the president possesses the authority to choose who enters. Velchik maintained that Trump did not engage in viewpoint discrimination by targeting specific outlets, noting that the president had criticized other networks such as ABC without banning them.
White House Delays Badge Restoration Amid Ongoing Chaos
Secret Service agents confiscated press credentials from CNN, MS NOW, and Politico journalists during a morning ban that kept reporters outside the gates for days. Following the court order, administration officials needed more than two hours to locate, reactivate, and deliver entry badges, according to an administration court filing. Once inside, reporters faced further restrictions. CNN reported that the White House barred its reporter and producer from attending Xi Jinping’s state dinner arrival on the portico, permitting only a photojournalist and an audio technician. MS NOW reported that journalist Laura Barrón-López faced similar denial at the arrival ceremony.
Did you know? Judge Timothy Kelly previously ordered a CNN journalist’s access restored in a remarkably similar White House press pass lawsuit back in 2018.
Networks Boycott Video Pool Over CNN Exclusion
While CNN and MS NOW regained physical grounds, major American television networks declined to participate in the White House video pool as a show of solidarity. During Xi Jinping’s visit and state dinner, no major network aired live coverage of the president. Fox News, CBS, and NBC journalists were present at Joint Base Andrews for Trump’s formal welcome of Xi, but refrained from shooting video. Bryan Boughton, Fox News Washington bureau chief and chairman of the TV press pool, advised earlier in the week that the pool would refuse to cover designated events after the White House blocked CNN. Alternative crews from NewsNation, Newsmax, Right Side Broadcasting Network, One America News, and LindellTV were present with cameras during the events.
The Associated Press provided video coverage of Trump greeting Xi directly to customers so individual outlets could decide whether to broadcast. Patrick Maks, an AP spokesman, stated that the organization did not stream the coverage on its own platforms, including APNews.com or its YouTube channel. The AP joined roughly 50 groups in filing an amicus brief supporting the restored access for the banned outlets.
State Dinner Guest List Mixes Media and Corporate Leadership
High-profile media figures and corporate executives attended the state dinner despite the ongoing press credentials conflict. Paramount CEO David Ellison, days away from finalizing a multibillion-dollar merger granting control over CBS and CNN, attended alongside his wife. Several Fox News employees joined them as invited guests, including anchor Bret Baier and commentators Laura Ingraham and Jesse Watters. President Trump defended the administration’s actions online, writing that TV networks refused to cover the event because they knew how successful it would be and wanted to avoid giving credit to him.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which news organizations were banned from the White House?
CNN, MS NOW, and Politico had their press credentials confiscated by Secret Service agents before a federal judge ordered their access restored.
Why did major networks refuse to cover the Xi Jinping visit?
Major networks like Fox News, CBS, and NBC declined to participate in the White House video pool in a show of solidarity after CNN was excluded from rotation.
What did the federal judge decide?
US District Judge Timothy Kelly issued a temporary restraining order requiring the White House to immediately restore press access, ruling the outlets were likely deprived of due process.
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