Three prominent news organizations were permitted back inside the White House on Thursday after a federal judge ruled that their sudden expulsion by President Donald Trump likely violated constitutional due process rights, though the resulting standoff immediately disrupted coverage of a high-profile state visit.
Federal Judge Timothy Kelly issued an overnight temporary restraining order requiring the administration to immediately reinstate the press credentials for CNN, MS NOW, and Politico.
Legal Standoff and the White House Due Process Ruling
The legal clash centered primarily on the Fifth Amendment requirement for due process rather than finally deciding the organisations’ broader First Amendment claims. Kelly found that the administration had revoked the journalists’ hard passes without providing constitutionally adequate procedures.
“The ‘general rule’ is that ‘individuals must receive notice and an opportunity to be heard before the Government deprives them’ of a constitutionally protected interest.”
Timothy Kelly, US District Judge
Before the ruling, Justice Department lawyers argued that access to the White House is a privilege rather than a right and maintained that the president holds authority to control reporter entry into restricted areas like the Oval Office.
Kelly remained unconvinced by those national security justifications at this preliminary stage. The judge noted that the original ban announcement attributed the restriction to unfavorable coverage rather than security risks, writing that the record lacked factual support showing that revoking the passes would protect national security.
Morning Access Delays and Emergency Court Filings
Despite the overnight judicial order, reporters arriving at the White House on Thursday morning found themselves turned away by the Secret Service. CNN reporter Betsy Klein, MS NOW reporter Laura Barrón-López, and a Politico staffer were among those barred, with some reporting that their badges had been confiscated or disabled.
The friction prompted lawyers for the news organizations to seek an emergency court hearing, accusing the administration of repeatedly violating the judge’s mandate as officials prepared for the arrival of Chinese President Xi Jinping. The emergency session was called off after the director of White House Operations filed paperwork stating that credentials and access had been restored by 09:45 local time, allowing the journalists to reenter the complex.
State Visit Restrictions and Broadcast Industry Solidarity
Even after regaining entry to the grounds, the affected outlets reported running into renewed blocks later in the evening. CNN and MS NOW journalists stated they were denied access to cover guests arriving for the state dinner honoring Chinese leader Xi Jinping, with CNN noting it was permitted to send only a photojournalist and audio technician rather than a full reporting team.
The chaotic day followed a show of solidarity from across the broadcasting industry. ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox News had previously joined CNN in suspending rotating television pool coverage from the White House, with major networks stating that no administration should restrict a news organization because it objects to its reporting.
Legal counsel for the media coalition welcomed the initial injunction as a vindication of press freedom, while White House officials maintained a strict line on operational boundaries. A White House communications account posted on X that access does not grant free rein to every part of the complex, signaling that the broader fight over presidential press access remains active as the 14-day restraining order runs its course.
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