A federal court has dealt a significant setback to the Trump administration, temporarily blocking its ban on journalists from CNN, MS NOW, and Politico entering the White House. US District Judge Timothy Kelly ordered the immediate restoration of press passes for journalists from the three organisations. The order, issued on Thursday, will remain in effect for 14 days.
During this period, the court made clear that officials cannot enforce the ban imposed on the three media organisations. In his ruling, Judge Kelly noted that the Trump administration’s decision could well be unconstitutional.
The dispute began on September 18, when the Trump administration banned CNN, MS NOW, and Politico from the White House. Trump had earlier criticised these organisations over their coverage of his administration. Following the ban, the three organisations approached the court, arguing that it had been imposed unjustly and violated press freedom and legal rights guaranteed under the US Constitution.
The Trump administration, however, contended that media access to the White House was not a right but a privilege granted by the government. It told the court that journalists’ conduct as well as national security concerns were factors behind the ban. Judge Kelly, in his order, stated that these claims lacked proper evidence, and with this ruling, CNN, MS NOW, and Politico have regained their White House coverage access.
Separately, Donald Trump has launched a new initiative called “Trump TV,” a 24-hour broadcast from the White House featuring his speeches, government announcements, and videos of key events. Notably, this is not a standalone television channel but a continuous livestream on the White House’s official YouTube channel, launched at a time when the dispute between the US government and prominent media organisations continues.