White House blocks Politico, CNN, and MS NOW journalists despite court order

Despite a federal judge's order to immediately restore the permanent press credentials of journalists from Politico, CNN, and MS NOW, the White House continued to block their access on Thursday, September 24. The three outlets reported their reporters were still denied entry hours after the ruling. CNN said its reporter Betsy Klein and a photojournalist were barred at 6 a.m. without explanation, though a producer was admitted. Politico and MS NOW reported similar incidents, with credentials confiscated, while some other staff were allowed in. The White House did not immediately comment. Judge Timothy Kelly, a Trump appointee, had ordered the credentials restored for 14 days, excluding President Trump himself. The outlets were banned on September 18 over alleged false information, and they sued citing First Amendment rights.