Federal Judge Blocks Trump’s Media Access Ban
Federal judge halts Trump’s attempt to ban liberal news outlets from White House access.
2 min read
A federal judge has temporarily blocked President Donald Trump from banning three liberal news outlets from accessing the White House. Judge Timothy Kelly issued a 14-day stay on the ban, which Trump imposed last week, citing the outlets’ coverage of ‘fake news.’
Media Access Blocked by Judge
Kelly, a Trump appointee, ruled that the media outlets—CNN, MS NOW, and Politico—would likely succeed in their claims that they were denied due process when their passes were revoked. The judge also dismissed Trump’s argument that the outlets were banned for national security reasons.
“The record lacks factual support for Defendants’ contention that the revocation of Plaintiffs’ hard passes will in fact protect national security or that national security will be endangered if the Court orders their passes reinstated while this litigation proceeds,” Kelly wrote in his order.
Trump’s Legal Defense
In a filing, the Trump administration argued that access to the White House is a privilege, not a right, and that the president has a compelling interest in enforcing standards for journalists and safeguarding national security. The White House claimed the outlets had published classified information, endangering national security.
Trump also suggested on social media that other outlets may soon lose access, calling the media ‘fake news’ that poses a threat to national security.
Legal Background of the Judge
Kelly has a history of ruling against Trump, including in cases related to media access. In 2018, he sided with CNN in a case involving former reporter Jim Acosta’s access to the White House. He also sentenced Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio to prison for seditious conspiracy linked to the January 6 riot, though Tarrio was not present on the day of the event.
CNN, MS NOW, and Politico collectively sued the Trump administration, arguing that the ban violated their First Amendment rights. A preliminary hearing is expected before the 14-day block expires.
Source: Daily Wire
