Judge Orders White House to Restore CNN, MS NOW and Politico Access

U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly ordered the White House early on September 24, 2026 to restore press credentials for CNN, MS NOW and Politico reporters, ruling Trump's ban likely violated their due-process rights. Kelly, a Trump appointee, issued a two-week restraining order after an emergency hearing, finding the outlets never got notice or a chance to be heard before their "hard passes" were revoked the prior Saturday. The administration cited national-security concerns and specific stories, but Kelly called them "routine" and said he was "skeptical" security was the real motivation, noting Trump had tied the ban to the outlets' "lack of truthfulness."

The ruling extends a 1977 D.C. Circuit precedent — used in a 2018 dispute over CNN reporter Jim Acosta's credentials — holding that arbitrary denial of White House press access triggers due-process protections. The case tests how far a president can go in using building access against outlets whose coverage he dislikes.

Even after the order, a Politico reporter was initially turned away and had credentials confiscated before being admitted later that day; CNN and MS NOW journalists regained access by midday. The administration said it will appeal, and the order lasts two weeks while the suit proceeds.