Federal Judge Halts White House Ban on Journalists

On September 19, 2026, journalists from CNN, MS NOW, and Politico faced a ban from entering the White House. A federal judge, Timothy J. Kelly, has ruled against President Trump’s decision to restrict these news organizations. The judge stated that this ban violated their First Amendment rights and due process, as outlined in the U.S. Constitution.

Court documents reveal that more than 70 journalists were denied access, leading to a lawsuit filed last month. Judge Kelly issued a temporary restraining order on September 24, preventing the administration from enforcing the ban until a formal trial could be held. Kelly indicated that Trump’s actions appeared to be an attempt to alter media coverage, motivated by dissatisfaction with the reporting on him.

Kelly referred to Trump’s public remarks and social media posts to support his stance. The order argued that the president aimed to manipulate news coverage by barring reporters’ entry to the White House press area. Theodore J. Boutrous, representing the journalists, argued that Trump’s public statements were crucial evidence in demonstrating the president’s intent to retaliate against unfavorable reporting.

The judge rejected the U.S. Justice Department’s claims of national security risks, finding that the evidence didn’t justify preventing these journalists from reporting. Kelly underscored previous court decisions supporting journalists’ rights, including a notable case involving former CNN reporter Jim Acosta.

Despite recognizing the president’s concerns about media accuracy, Kelly emphasized that using press credential revocation as a punishment was unlawful. The judge noted that the administration had inadequately communicated the reasons for the ban, denying the journalists an opportunity to appeal beforehand.

The ruling did not address certain restrictions, such as barring CNN from representing the video pool in tightly held locations like Air Force One or the Oval Office. Despite the restraining order, CNN reported being blocked from covering specific events, hindering their ability to fulfill pooling obligations.

The lawsuit calls attention to a larger issue, as the Trump administration has launched a series of actions against the press. Investigations into major networks, including allegations of breaking antitrust laws, are ongoing. The administration also threatened broadcast licenses and pulled funding from various media outlets, defending its actions based on bias concerns.