CNN journalists denied access to Trump-Xi state dinner despite court order

Despite a federal judge ordering the White House to restore CNN's press credentials, two CNN journalists were denied access to cover the state dinner for Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday evening. Judge Timothy Kelly ruled the government violated the journalists' rights by revoking their badges without notice, dismissing national security claims as post-hoc justifications. The White House had restored access earlier Thursday but barred the two CNN staffers that evening. The dispute stems from President Trump's September 18 decision to ban CNN, MS NOW, and Politico over alleged "false information." Other major networks showed solidarity by withdrawing from the White House press pool, and the Justice Department maintains access is a privilege, not a right.