White House denies CNN, MSNOW, Politico press access despite court order

CNN, MSNOW and Politico reporters were denied White House access on Thursday despite a federal judge ordering the Trump administration to immediately restore their press credentials. The journalists were blocked before 9 a.m. EDT, with one Politico reporter's credentials confiscated. U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly, a Trump appointee, issued the emergency ruling early Thursday after the outlets sued following President Trump's ban on their journalists. Kelly wrote the reporters "did not receive an opportunity to be heard" before credential revocation, citing the free press's importance in his eight-page order. The ruling lasts two weeks, though timing suggests the White House may not have processed it yet. CNN reported no reason was given for the refusal, while attorney Theodore Boutrous called the decision a "strong ruling vindicating freedom of the press, due process and the rule of law."