Judge Restores White House Access for CNN, MSNBC, and Politico After 14-Day Order

A federal judge on Thursday temporarily restored White House press credentials for CNN, MS NOW, and Politico, issuing a 14-day restraining order against the administration's revocation of their access. The judge expressed skepticism about national security justifications for the ban. The ruling came after the outlets filed a joint lawsuit claiming First Amendment violations. Judge Timothy J. Kelly ordered immediate reinstatement, noting the plaintiffs met the legal threshold and that the administration lacked evidence linking their reporting to security risks. Reporters regained entry around noon after initial delays. The White House has not indicated next steps, while major television networks suspended pool coverage in solidarity. This follows a similar February 2025 case involving the Associated Press over the Gulf of America naming dispute, which remains under appeal.