Judge orders Trump to restore White House access for CNN, MSNBC, and Politico

A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to restore White House access for journalists from CNN, MS NOW, and Politico, ruling the ban likely violates the U.S. Constitution. The decision came in response to a lawsuit filed by the three outlets challenging the September 18 restriction. Judge Tim Kelly of the U.S. District Court directed the administration to immediately reinstate press passes and barred officials from enforcing the access ban for 14 days. He rejected national security justifications, noting no factual basis supported the claim, and cited prior rulings affirming journalists' right to due process before credential revocation. The outlets sued on September 21, arguing the ban violated First Amendment free speech and press guarantees. The ruling arrives weeks before the November 3 midterm elections, with press freedom groups and major outlets like Reuters and Fox News filing briefs in support of the journalists.