Federal judge blocks Trump White House media ban on three outlets

US District Judge Timothy Kelly has issued a preliminary injunction preventing the Trump administration from revoking White House press access for personnel from CNN, MS NOW, and Politico. Variety, Deadline, and Forbes Media reported that the ruling blocks the administration from removing the hard passes of journalists from the three outlets. The decision extends an earlier temporary hold placed on the White House ban. [2][3][4][6][9][10]

Judge Kelly, a Trump appointee, wrote that the media organizations are likely to succeed on their First Amendment and due process claims. Deadline reported that the judge identified the White House action as retaliatory viewpoint discrimination. Following the decision, Donald Trump filed a notice of appeal against the injunction, Deadline reported. [2][3][4]

Attorney Theodore Boutrous, representing CNN, MS NOW, and Politico, stated that the victory highlights the legal protections guaranteed to the press, according to The Wrap. Boutrous noted that the administration's actions represented an attempt to undermine fundamental First Amendment principles. Adweek and Forbes Media reported that CNN Chief Executive Officer Mark Thompson stated the network intends to pursue the court challenge to the end. [1][5][6]

The dispute follows prior access restrictions on journalists covering the administration. As FTMQ Creators reported earlier, the White House previously barred Politico from traveling on Air Force One. Five major television networks subsequently suspended joint White House press pool coverage, prompting the US Department of Justice to launch an antitrust investigation into the broadcasters. [15][16]