Trump bans three news outlets

Trump announced last Friday he was barring CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House, accusing them of writing fiction or lies about his administration.

Outlets denied entry and badges confiscated

By Saturday morning, each outlet reported they were denied entry to the White House grounds and their press badges were confiscated. All three accused the Trump administration of violating their constitutional rights.

Judge rules ban likely unconstitutional

On Thursday, Judge Timothy Kelly ruled the ban on the outlets should be temporarily lifted because it likely violated their constitutional due process rights. He ordered immediate return of press passes and a halt to enforcement for fourteen days.

Judge rejects national security argument

Judge Kelly cast doubt on White House claims that the ban was justified on national security grounds, noting the president made no mention of this in his initial announcement. The record lacks factual support for the national security claim.

“The record lacks factual support for defendants' contention that the revocation of plaintiffs' hard passes will in fact protect national security.”

White House still restricts coverage on Thursday

Despite the judge's ruling on Thursday, the White House denied entry to some CNN and MS NOW reporters assigned to cover arrivals for a state dinner for Chinese leader Xi Jinping, prompting a request for an emergency court hearing.

Passes restored, coverage resumes Friday

The director of White House Operations said in a court filing that press passes and confiscated badges had been restored by nine forty-five local time. On Friday, White House officials allowed reporters entry and coverage went back to normal.

White House disputes full press access

Despite the judge's ruling, CNN said the White House said it could cover Xi's arrival only with a photojournalist and audio technician, but not a team including a reporter and producer. A White House communications account posted that outlets do not get free rein into every part of the White House.

“contrary to what the Fake News wants you to believe, they don't just get to have free rein into every part of the White House, every event, and every press call”

Media industry backs outlets in court

More than fifty media organisations across the ideological spectrum filed an amicus brief in support of the lawsuit, including Fox News, the New York Times, the Washington Post and the Wall Street Journal, defending the principle that government does not decide what the press reports.