CNN, MS NOW and Politico return to White House after judge blocks Trump ban

The reporters regained entry Thursday after being turned away that morning. A judge’s 14-day order puts their access back in place while the court considers whether the White House revoked it without due process.

By EEW Magazine Online News Editors

President Donald Trump speaks to reporters about health care in the Oval Office at the White House on Sept. 18, 2026, in Washington. Credit: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Reporters from CNN, MS NOW and Politico returned to the White House on Thursday after a federal judge ordered the Trump administration to restore their access. The journalists were initially turned away Thursday morning, despite the order, before being admitted by midday.

U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Kelly issued a temporary restraining order late Wednesday that will remain in effect for 14 days.

He found that the three outlets were likely to succeed in showing their press credentials had been revoked without due process. The ruling allows their reporters to return while the lawsuit proceeds; it does not settle the case.

The outlets told the court Thursday that a Secret Service agent had confiscated their reporters’ credentials that morning and requested an immediate hearing. After the journalists regained access, the administration said in a filing that the White House had needed time to begin reinstating their badges.

Trump announced the ban Friday, calling the outlets’ coverage “fake news.” He later said their reporting posed a national security risk.

CNN, MS NOW and Politico sued, arguing that the administration had singled them out because of what they published, in violation of the First Amendment.

Signs supporting AP, CNN, MS NOW and Politico hang on the White House grounds on Sept. 21, 2026, in Washington. Credit: Finn Gomez/Getty Images

Administration lawyers cited reports by each outlet in letters explaining the revoked access, including coverage of White House construction and security, an alleged leak investigation and comments from a senior official at a White House-arranged briefing.

Kelly said the standard for objectionable reporting described in the letters was too vague to justify revoking press passes. He also found no evidence in the record that national security concerns had motivated the decision when the credentials were revoked.

The ban affected coverage beyond the three outlets.

A network television pool that includes CNN suspended its coverage of Trump events while CNN’s access was in dispute. Kelly’s order did not address the pool’s arrangements.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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