Federal judge orders White House to restore press access for CNN, MSNBC, and Politico

A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to immediately restore White House press access for CNN, MS Now, and Politico, ruling the bans likely violated their constitutional due process rights. The temporary restraining order lasts 14 days while the lawsuit proceeds. Judge Timothy Kelly rejected the administration's national security justifications, noting President Trump's own statements focused on alleged "fake news" rather than security concerns. The outlets were barred on Sept. 19 and sued two days later on First Amendment grounds. The ruling follows similar disputes, including restrictions on The Associated Press and CNN's Jim Acosta during Trump's first term. The White House had cited coverage of a planned ballroom and the Iran war as problematic.