Trump-Appointed Judge Orders Him to Restore White House Access to 'CNN', 'Politico', and 'MS NOW'

President Donald Trump's bid to bar CNN, MS NOW, and Politico journalists from the White House has suffered a legal setback from an unlikely source: a federal judge he appointed. US District Judge Timothy Kelly ordered the administration to restore the reporters' press credentials for 14 days, finding they were likely revoked without constitutionally adequate due process.

Kelly's order came days after Trump imposed the restrictions over what he described as false and negative coverage of his administration. The judge also questioned the administration's national-security justification, saying the government had offered little evidence to support the need for the ban.

The ruling gives the three news organisations temporary access while their broader legal challenge continues, setting up a court battle over press access, due process, and the limits of presidential authority.

Judge Questions How Ban Was Imposed

Kelly's ruling focused on the process used to revoke the journalists' hard passes. He said the outlets were likely to succeed on their claim that the government had failed to provide adequate notice and an opportunity to be heard before taking away their credentials.

The administration argued that White House access is a privilege rather than a constitutional right. It also maintained that the president had authority to restrict access because of national-security concerns. Kelly found that argument insufficient at this stage of the case.

The judge noted that Trump had focused on complaints about the outlets' reporting when he announced the ban, rather than identifying a national-security threat. The administration's more detailed national-security arguments emerged later in the dispute.

Trump Announced the Ban on 18 September

Trump announced the restrictions on 18 September, accusing the three organisations of what he described as false and negative reporting. He did not identify one specific article as the reason for the decision. Instead, he referred to what he described as cumulative coverage over the previous two years. The journalists were subsequently prevented from entering the White House grounds.

The three organisations filed a lawsuit on 21 September, arguing that the administration had violated their First Amendment rights and their constitutional protections for due process. They asked the court to restore their access while the case continued.

Administration Defends White House Access

During Wednesday's hearing, Justice Department lawyer Michael Velchik argued that the president has broad authority over access to the White House. The administration also pointed to reporting it said raised national-security concerns.

Theodore Boutrous, representing the three news organisations, argued that the president could criticise journalists but could not use government power to punish them because of their reporting.

Kelly's ruling did not finally decide the First Amendment dispute. Instead, it found that the outlets had established enough grounds for temporary relief while the case proceeds. The judge also said the outlets were likely to suffer irreparable harm without the order and that restoring their credentials was in the public interest.

Wider Press Access Dispute

The case comes amid wider disagreements between the Trump administration and news organisations over access to government officials and facilities.The administration has previously restricted access for Associated Press journalists and introduced tighter rules governing media coverage at the Pentagon. The latest dispute also disrupted the television press pool covering the president.

Several major broadcasters suspended their usual rotation after the network was removed from a scheduled assignment during Trump's trip to New York for the United Nations General Assembly. Nearly 50 news organisations also filed a brief supporting the request for temporary relief, according to AFP.

What Happens Next

Kelly's order requires the administration to restore the journalists' credentials for 14 days unless the court issues a further order. The decision is temporary. It does not finally determine whether the administration violated the First Amendment or whether its broader access policy is lawful. The court will now consider further arguments and evidence from both sides as the legal challenge continues.