Judge Orders White House to Restore Press Access for Three Outlets

Timothy Kelly, a judge appointed by Donald Trump, rejected the administration's argument that revoking hard passes for the three media outlets was necessary to protect national security. In his ruling, Kelly noted that the court found no factual support for the claim that maintaining these credentials would endanger the country. He further asserted that the administration's stated motivation for the ban appeared questionable based on the current record.

The conflict began on September 18, when the president initially banned the outlets, accusing them of publishing "FICTION and LIES." While the White House later argued in court filings that specific reporting on East Wing bunker construction and military operations necessitated the restrictions, the judge ruled that the news organizations demonstrated a likelihood of success in proving the move violated Fifth Amendment due process protections. Ted Boutrous, the attorney representing the media outlets, praised the 14-day order as a victory for the rule of law and press freedom.

The administration’s actions have previously disrupted media coverage, leaving recent events, including the arrival of Chinese President Xi Jinping, without major network presence. As the legal dispute proceeds, it remains to be seen how quickly normal operations will resume at the White House.