US Justice Department Defends Trump’s White House Ban on CNN, MS NOW and Politico

The US Justice Department has defended President Donald Trump’s decision to bar CNN, MS NOW and Politico journalists from the White House, arguing that access to restricted presidential areas is a privilege rather than a constitutional right.

The administration made the argument in court as the three media organisations challenged the decision, which Trump announced after accusing them of publishing what he described as “fake news.” The outlets are seeking continued access to the White House while their broader legal challenge proceeds.

The restrictions took effect on September 19, when journalists from the three organisations were denied entry and their White House press credentials were revoked or deactivated. The media groups subsequently sued the administration, arguing that the action violated First Amendment protections and amounted to retaliation over their reporting.

In its court filing, the Justice Department maintained that the president has broad authority to determine which journalists receive access to restricted areas of the White House. Government lawyers also cited national security concerns and argued that previous legal precedents governing press access should not prevent the administration from imposing the restrictions.

CNN, MS NOW and Politico have rejected that position, saying the government cannot selectively remove journalists because of their reporting. They are asking the court to restore their access while the case over the legality of the ban continues.

The dispute reached federal court on Wednesday, September 23, when US District Judge Timothy Kelly heard arguments from both sides. During the hearing, Kelly questioned whether the administration had followed established legal procedures before revoking the journalists’ credentials.

Kelly did not immediately issue a ruling at the hearing. However, he indicated that previous appellate decisions appeared to require journalists to receive notice and an opportunity to challenge the removal of their White House credentials before access was revoked.

The judge later issued a temporary order requiring the White House to restore CNN, MS NOW and Politico’s access. The order is initially in effect for 14 days while the legal dispute continues. Kelly said the outlets had met the legal threshold for temporary relief and questioned whether the administration had provided sufficient grounds for revoking their credentials

The confrontation has also disrupted the White House television press pool, a system through which participating news organisations share coverage of presidential events. Other major television networks suspended their participation after CNN was prevented from carrying out a scheduled pool assignment.

Despite being excluded from the White House, journalists from the affected organisations continued covering Trump during his appearance at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where they had access through UN-issued credentials.

The legal battle remains focused on whether the administration can exclude the three organisations from the White House based on its objections to their reporting and what procedures must be followed before journalists’ credentials can be withdrawn.

This version keeps the competing legal positions attributed and reflects the September 23–24 court developments, rather than ending with the earlier expectation that no ruling had been made.