From NBC News · Gary Grumbach · · 2m
Judge blocks Trump's ban on CNN, MS NOW, Politico
A federal judge temporarily restored White House access for three news outlets Trump banned, ruling the revocation likely violated the First Amendment.
In brief
A federal judge temporarily restored White House access for three news outlets Trump banned, ruling the revocation likely violated the First Amendment. Courts can block a president from revoking press credentials without due process, even when he claims national security or editorial concerns justify it. Originally…
Trump bans three news outlets
President Trump announced Friday he was banning CNN, MS NOW, and Politico from the White House, calling them sources of fake news.
Credentials revoked without warning
The three outlets had their hard passes revoked immediately without notice or opportunity to respond, according to the court filing.
Judge orders access restored
U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly ruled the ban likely violated the First Amendment and ordered the White House to restore access for 14 days while the legal challenge proceeds.
Reporters return to White House
CNN and MS NOW journalists were allowed back onto White House grounds Thursday afternoon and immediately began reporting live on air.
Initial confusion at gates
Despite the judge's order, reporters were still turned away Thursday morning. The White House said it began restoring access around 7 a.m. but the process took hours.
Trump claims national security
The White House argued the outlets published sensitive information about munitions stockpiles and Russian sanctions that undermined national security.
Judge rejects security argument
The judge found the articles cited were routine journalism stretching back months or years, not extraordinary breaches justifying an emergency ban.
“are routine”
Trump says it's about coverage
Trump told reporters the ban was a response to cumulative negative stories, saying the outlets write negative news to diminish Republicans.
“They purposely write negative news.”
Media industry backs outlets
The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, the White House Correspondents' Association, and 49 news organizations filed a brief supporting the three outlets.
Judge cites First Amendment
The judge wrote that Trump's stated reasons for the ban are transparently viewpoint discriminatory and violate longstanding precedent protecting press freedom.
“are transparently viewpoint discriminatory”
Due process violation upheld
The court found the outlets are likely to succeed in their lawsuit because their credentials were revoked without due process or a hearing.
At a glance
Courts can block a president from revoking press credentials without due process, even when he claims national security or editorial concerns justify it.
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