Federal judge indefinitely reverses White House ban on national news organizations in victory for press

Three outlets shut out of the White House by President Donald Trump have won their fight, at least for the moment. U. S. District Judge Timothy Kelly ruled Tuesday night that MS NOW, CNN and Politico may not be denied entry while their lawsuit proceeds, with no end date set on that protection. He had previously issued shorter-term orders in September and then extended them briefly while weighing a lasting remedy.

The outlets contend the ban punishes coverage Trump dislikes, violating the First Amendment, and that it breached Fifth Amendment due process because no clear standards or adequate warning came first. Attorney Ted Boutrous Jr. told the court Trump simply objects to the reporting. The government, represented by Michael Velchik, says national security concerns drove the decision and that letters sent to the outlets amounted to a process they declined to use. Those letters went out three days after credentials were pulled and a day after the suit was filed. Kelly questioned the government's position, saying the shift in rationale was an "uphill climb." His earlier order rested only on due process, consistent with appellate precedent he cited.

Summarized by PolitiKool from MS NOW’s reporting. Read the full story at MS NOW →