Federal Judge Temporarily Restores White House Access for CNN, MS NOW, Politico

On September 24, 2026, U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly issued a temporary restraining order requiring the White House to immediately restore press credentials for reporters from CNN, MS NOW, and Politico. This decision temporarily blocks the Trump administration's ban on these media outlets, which the judge ruled likely violated journalists' Fifth Amendment due process rights, as reported by ABC News .

The revocation of press passes was carried out without advance notice or an opportunity for the outlets to contest the decision, according to KESQ . Additionally, Judge Kelly rejected the administration's justification that the ban was a national security measure, noting that the government lacked evidence to support such a claim, as outlined by ABC.net.au .

Reasons Behind the Judge's Ruling

In his decision, Judge Kelly emphasized the significance of Fifth Amendment protections and pointed out several issues with the administration's actions:

Due Process Violations: The lack of prior notice or a clear process to challenge the ban was cited as a violation of due process. The standards used to justify revocations were described as vague and insufficient to meet constitutional requirements.

Unfounded National Security Claims: The judge dismissed the administration's defense that the bans were to protect national security, as there was no substantiated evidence provided to support these claims.

Irreparable Harm to Journalists: The court underscored that barring the journalists from the White House hindered their capacity to report on governmental affairs directly, constituting an immediate and irreparable harm.

Public Interest in Free Press: Highlighting the role of a free press in a democratic society, the decision reinforced the necessity for constitutional safeguards against governmental overreach.

Immediate Implications for Media Operations

The ruling immediately affects the operational abilities of CNN, MS NOW, and Politico:

Access Restored: Journalists from these outlets can re enter White House grounds, participate in press briefings, and resume normal reporting activities. This access enables direct questioning and on the ground coverage, essential for timely, accurate reporting on government actions.

Temporary Relief Period: The restraining order is valid for 14 days, providing a window for the media outlets to use their restored privileges while preparing for further legal proceedings.

Ongoing Legal Battles: Legal teams for the media organizations will continue to work on securing longer term relief from these restrictions as the case progresses.

According to AP , the ruling represents a substantial judicial acknowledgment of press freedoms and constitutional due process, amid ongoing litigation efforts to challenge the administration's media access policies.