From ABC7 New York · · 1m 40s
CNN MS NOW Journalists Return to White House
CNN and MS NOW journalists regain White House access after federal judge orders Trump to lift ban.
In brief
CNN and MS NOW journalists regain White House access after federal judge orders Trump to lift ban. A federal judge ordered Trump to lift a ban on CNN, MS NOW and Politico journalists from the White House, restoring their access hours after the ruling. Originally reported by ABC7 New York.
Journalists back at White House
CNN, MS NOW and Politico journalists returned to White House grounds Thursday afternoon after federal judge ordered Trump to lift ban.
“hours after a federal judge ordered President Donald Trump to lift a ban”
Judge orders access restored
U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly ruled White House must immediately return and restore access to the three outlets.
“immediately return, reinstate, and restore”
Ban rationale challenged
Trump claimed outlets' reporting was a risk to national security, but judge found no evidence of national security threats.
“Nothing in the record ... suggests that the revocation of Plaintiffs' hard passes was motivated by national security concerns”
First Amendment violation
Outlets argued ban violated First Amendment as it singled them out for content of reporting.
“blatant violation of the First Amendment”
Judge's legal reasoning
Kelly stated outlets met legal thresholds for temporary restraining order and were likely to succeed in showing due process violations.
“This is a high bar, but Plaintiffs have met it”
Administration's defense
White House claimed access to White House is a privilege, not a right, and national security concerns justify restrictions.
“Access to the White House is a privilege, not a right”
Specific reporting incidents
Administration cited incidents including CNN reporting on East Wing bunker construction and Politico publishing White House ballroom funding details.
“CNN reporting on 'top-secret' construction details related to the East Wing bunker”
Media pool suspension
Major networks suspended coverage of Trump at pool events pending White House access restoration.
“The U.S. network press pool, consisting of the five major networks, including CNN, has suspended coverage of Trump pool events”
Legal battle details
Attorneys debated whether ban constituted viewpoint discrimination or legitimate security concerns.
“We’re at war. We have world leaders coming to Washington”
Ruling impact
Judge's order reinstates access but does not address rotating media pool coverage issues.
“The ruling did not address that rotating pool”
In short
A federal judge ordered Trump to lift a ban on CNN, MS NOW and Politico journalists from the White House, restoring their access hours after the ruling.
