US District Judge Tim Kelly ruled that CNN, MS Now and Politico should have their White House access immediately restored, lifting a ban President Trump announced on 18 September.
Key facts
- District Judge Tim Kelly lifted Trump's ban on CNN, MS Now and Politico.
- Trump announced the ban on 18 September and, according to the Guardian, described it himself as a 'ban on the free press'.
- The three outlets presented arguments before the judge against the ban.
- The judge ordered access to be restored immediately, and the White House subsequently allowed blocked reporters back in.
- Some access remained denied, according to CNBC.
A federal judge has ordered the immediate restoration of White House access for three news outlets that had been barred under a ban announced by President Donald Trump, according to reporting from CNBC and the Guardian.
District Judge Tim Kelly ruled that CNN, MS Now and Politico should have their access restored from the ban the president had announced on 18 September. The three outlets had presented arguments before the judge, the Guardian reported. Trump himself described the measure as a ‘ban on the free press’, according to the Guardian.
CNBC reported that the judge said the outlets’ access should be reinstated immediately. Following the ruling, the White House allowed the previously blocked reporters back in, though CNBC noted that access still remained denied for some.
In separate remarks reported by the Guardian, Secretary of State Marco Rubio briefly addressed Trump’s meeting with Delcy Rodriguez, the interim Venezuelan president, at a Manhattan hotel. ‘It was a short meeting, but it was a very important meeting,’ Rubio said.
The ruling from Judge Kelly represents an immediate reversal of the president’s 18 September order, at least for the outlets named in the case. It is not yet clear from the sources why access reportedly remained denied for some.
Why it matters
Press access to the White House is a core element of how the public receives information about the presidency, and legal challenges to restrictions raise questions about freedom of the press. The ruling signals that courts may intervene when access is denied to specific news organisations.
Frequently asked questions
Which news outlets were affected by the ban?
CNN, MS Now and Politico were the three outlets banned from the White House and named in the case.
When did Trump announce the ban?
According to CNBC, President Trump announced the ban on September 18.
Was access fully restored after the ruling?
The White House allowed blocked reporters back in after the judge lifted the ban, but CNBC reported that access still remained denied for some.