Judge Orders Trump to Restore CNN, MS NOW, and Politico Access

A federal judge, Timothy Kelly, ruled that the revocation of press credentials for CNN, MS NOW, and Politico by President Donald Trump likely violated their constitutional due process rights. The ruling followed a joint lawsuit filed by the outlets after their reporters were initially barred from the White House on a visit day for Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The Secret Service initially turned away the journalists, but they were allowed entry later in the day. Judge Kelly criticized the White House's process for expelling the outlets, emphasizing that individuals must receive notice and an opportunity to be heard before being deprived of constitutionally protected interests.

The Department of Justice had argued that Trump could control reporters' access to restricted areas, asserting that access to the White House is a privilege. However, the judge expressed skepticism regarding the White House's claims of safeguarding national security as the motivation for the revocation.

In solidarity, the top five US broadcasters halted pool coverage of the White House.