Judge orders White House to restore access for three news outlets

CNN, MS NOW and Politico were allowed back into the White House after a federal judge ordered the restoration of their access, six days after President Donald Trump barred the organisations. District Judge Timothy Kelly ruled that the decision to revoke the outlets’ press credentials had likely violated their constitutional due process rights. The news organisations had sought an urgent hearing after their reporters were initially prevented from entering despite the ruling.

Reporters attempting to return early on Thursday, ahead of a visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping, were first turned away by the Secret Service. They were later admitted around midday. Other journalists gathered near CNN’s tent on the White House driveway and filmed reporter Betsy Klein reporting live after her return.

Trump had accused the outlets of distributing what he called “fake news” and “fiction and lies”. They jointly challenged the ban, arguing that it violated the First Amendment’s protection of a free press. The Justice Department had argued that the president could control reporters’ access to restricted areas, saying White House access was a privilege rather than a right.

Kelly said people generally must receive notice and an opportunity to be heard before the government removes a constitutionally protected interest.