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Judge orders temporary return of CNN, MS NOW and Politico to White House events
September 24, 2026
On Thursday a federal judge told the Trump administration to let CNN, MS NOW and Politico back into White House events, after President Trump barred the three outlets.
President Trump barred CNN, MS NOW and Politico from White House events, and the three outlets went to federal court to challenge that decision.
Key facts
- A federal judge on Thursday told the Trump administration to let three news outlets, CNN and Politico among them, back into White House events for now, after President Trump had barred them from covering those events.
- Lawyers representing the news organizations asked for an urgent court hearing, arguing that the White House had "repeatedly violated" the order restoring press access.
NPR reports that federal judge Timothy J. Kelly on Thursday ordered the Trump administration to temporarily restore access for CNN, MS NOW and Politico, after President Trump banned the three outlets from covering White House events. BBC and NBC News carry the same ruling, and The Irish Times and The National also cover the order.
The outlets now want an urgent session before the judge, the BBC reports, because their lawyers say the White House has "repeatedly violated" his order. NBC News carries a statement from Ted Boutrous, the attorney representing the news outlets, who called the decision "a strong ruling vindicating freedom of the press, due process and the rule of law," and The Irish Times carries his words as well.
The outlets agree on the order and on the lawyers' complaint, and none of them disputes either. The open question is compliance, since the complaint itself says the reporters are still kept out.
Ted Boutrous, who represents the news organizations, said in a statement: “This is a strong ruling vindicating freedom of the press, due process and the rule of law. We greatly appreciate the court’s swift action.”
the attorney
Still developing
The White House ban on reporters from the outlets had not moved as of the draft.
How settled the reporting is
Sources
- NPR — Judge orders Trump administration to restore journalists' access to White House
- BBC — Some reporters denied White House access despite judge overturning Trump media ban - BBC
- The Irish Times — Politico, MS NOW and CNN denied access to White House despite judge’s order - The Irish Times
- NBC News — Judge orders White House to restore access for CNN, MS NOW and Politico
- thenationalnews.com — White House bars media outlets despite judge’s order to restore access - thenationalnews.com
- Axios — White House defies court order, doesn't reinstate access for banned reporters
Toggle read the full reports of 5 of the 7 outlets counted on this event. The other 2 are counted from their headlines and opening sentences.