Reporters previously barred from the White House by President Donald Trump were allowed back on the premises following a court order. CNN, MS NOW, and Politico journalists regained access after being denied entry due to a Secret Service agent confiscating their credentials earlier that day. The White House confirmed the restoration of access, stating that the press passes were available for pickup at the press gate.
The situation raised concerns that the administration was disregarding the court order, which had accused them of defying legal rulings in multiple instances. The news outlets were seeking to cover China’s Xi Jinping’s state visit, where press freedoms are restricted. Trump had banned the outlets, citing “fake news” and national security risks. The media argued that the ban violated the First Amendment.
In response to the ban, other media outlets, including major networks like CNN, suspended coverage of Trump pool events. U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly granted a temporary restraining order, suggesting that the revocation of press passes lacked due process. The judge criticized the vague standards cited by the White House for revoking the passes.
The Justice Department argued that White House access is a privilege, not a right, and defended the president’s authority to control entry. Trump’s litigious history with news outlets continued as an Iowa judge dismissed his lawsuit against the Des Moines Register. The White House vowed to appeal the ruling. Other press-related cases, including a defamation suit against the BBC and the Wall Street Journal, are ongoing.
