From ABC News · ABC News · · 2m
Judge hears Trump media ban case, delays ruling
A federal judge heard arguments on whether President Trump's ban on CNN, MSNOW and Politico violates the First Amendment but issued no immediate decision.
In brief
A federal judge heard arguments on whether President Trump's ban on CNN, MSNOW and Politico violates the First Amendment but issued no immediate decision. Judge Tim Kelly heard arguments on Trump's ban of three news outlets from the White House but did not rule, signaling skepticism of the administration's legal…
Trump bans three news outlets
President Donald Trump banned CNN, MSNOW and Politico from the White House complex late last week, blocking their reporters from accessing the building.
News outlets sue for access
The three organizations requested a temporary restraining order to restore their reporters' access, calling Trump's decision a direct assault on the First Amendment and a blatant violation of fundamental constitutional principles.
Trump claims outlets spread lies
Trump said on social media that media outlets should not be able to constantly write or report fiction and lies when covering the president and the United States.
“Media Outlets shouldn't be able to constantly write or report FICTION and LIES when they're covering the President of the United States, the Trump Administration, or the United States of America.”
Trump denies attacking free press
Trump posted on Monday that barring journalists was not an assault on the free press but an assault on fake news, which he claimed was a national security threat.
DOJ cites specific stories
The Department of Justice defended the ban, citing specific stories from each outlet that it claimed violated standards of professionalism by trafficking in verifiable falsehoods about national security and publishing sensitive or classified information.
Lawyer challenges DOJ's evidence
Ted Boutrous, representing the news organizations, argued that stories the White House cited were months old and in some cases written by reporters whose hard passes were later renewed.
Trump proves the case, lawyer says
Boutrous told the court that Trump is essentially the lead witness in the case because he keeps proving their point by declaring through social posts that he instituted the ban because coverage was too negative.
“He keeps proving our point. He is really our lead witness here.”
Judge signals skepticism, delays ruling
Judge Tim Kelly, who previously restored Jim Acosta's White House credentials in two thousand eighteen, suggested the administration failed to follow established legal procedures and said he would consider the arguments before issuing a ruling.
“I'll consider what you've told me today and try to get you an answer as soon as I can.”
The takeaway
Judge Tim Kelly heard arguments on Trump's ban of three news outlets from the White House but did not rule, signaling skepticism of the administration's legal justification.
