Judge Orders White House to Reinstate Press Access for CNN, MS NOW, and Politico
A federal judge has mandated that the Trump administration continue to allow CNN, MS NOW, and Politico access to the White House grounds while litigation over revoked press credentials is ongoing. The decision, issued on October 14, 2026, by U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Kelly, extends a preliminary injunction that prevents the administration from enforcing a September 18 revocation of the outlets' 'hard pass' press credentials.
Judge Kelly, an appointee of President Trump, had previously granted a temporary restraining order on September 24, which initially restored the credentials for 14 days. The preliminary injunction now ensures access until the case is resolved, a process that could extend for months or even years.
The lawsuit, filed by the three news organizations, argues that their First and Fifth Amendment rights were violated when the White House revoked their credentials, allegedly in retaliation for their reporting. The court's ruling suggests the plaintiffs have a strong case, particularly regarding their Fifth Amendment claims, which concern due process violations.
Despite the court's orders, the White House has continued to restrict access to certain areas, such as Air Force One, for CNN and Politico reporters. This ongoing limitation highlights the complexities surrounding the enforcement of the court's decision.
Legal experts point to the 1977 Sherrill v. Knight case, which established that the White House cannot arbitrarily revoke press credentials based on a journalist's reporting or viewpoint. Comments made by President Trump, criticizing the outlets for allegedly negative coverage, have been cited in support of the media organizations' claims.
The broader White House press pool has shown solidarity with the barred outlets, refusing to fill their spots in press pool assignments. Some media organizations have also withheld publication of images from White House events until the legal issues are resolved.