Federal judge considers indefinite reversal of White House media ban on MS NOW, CNN and Politico

MS NOW · CBS News and CBS News report that Judge Timothy Kelly will hear arguments Thursday on whether CNN, MS NOW and Politico can keep their White House access while their lawsuit against President Donald Trump proceeds. The emergency order that put their reporters back inside the complex lapses that same day, and Kelly has signaled he will decide quickly.

The outlets argue the ban punishes coverage Trump dislikes, violating the First Amendment, and that they were denied due process. Their attorney Ted Boutrous says the White House keeps shifting its justifications. The Justice Department replies that the outlets were told of national security and professionalism concerns by letter and chose not to respond. Senior counsel Michael Velchik argued that exposing classified secrets offends basic decorum. Kelly's earlier ruling rested on due process alone, and he doubted security was the true motive.

MS NOW · CBS News adds that CNN and Politico have been blocked unpredictably from their pool turns, while MS NOW has had no assignment since the ban. CBS News adds that both outlets remain barred from the Oval Office and Air Force One.

Summarized by PolitiKool from MS NOW · CBS News and CBS News’s reporting. Read the full story at MS NOW · CBS News → Also at CBS News →