Judge Questions Trump's White House Press Ban Over Due Process Concerns

A US judge on Wednesday questioned whether the Trump administration followed proper procedures in banning three news organizations from the White House, stating that due process "wasn't followed here." The judge's remarks came during a hearing on the First Amendment lawsuit filed by CNN, Politico, and MS NOW. The Justice Department defended the ban, citing presidential authority and national security, while the judge expressed skepticism about the government's rationale. The administration's initial explanation focused on the outlets' coverage of Trump, with letters citing reports that allegedly "threatened national security and/or spread falsehoods." The judge said he would rule as soon as possible, leaving the ban in place for now. The case references a 1977 appeals court decision holding that the White House cannot arbitrarily deny press access without due process, and the judge previously ruled similarly in a 2018 case involving CNN's Jim Acosta.