Judge extends White House access for US media outlets amid Trump standoff

What the report says

A federal judge in Washington, DC, has extended White House access for CNN, MS Now and Politico after President Donald Trump tried to bar the outlets from briefings and other coverage. US District Judge Timothy Kelly said the administration likely violated the law and the First Amendment by targeting the news organizations because of their reporting and perceived bias.

According to Al Jazeera’s report, Kelly’s latest order builds on an earlier emergency ruling from September 24 that had temporarily restored access. The judge said the record did not support the government’s later claim that the revoked press passes were taken away for national security reasons. The order will remain in place until Kelly issues a final ruling or an appeals court intervenes.

The dispute is part of a broader clash between Trump and major US media organizations. Trump has frequently criticized legacy outlets, attacked reporters publicly and on social media, and pursued legal action against several media companies. During the hearing, a lawyer for the outlets argued that the administration was trying to pressure them into more favorable coverage.

Media freedom advocates said the case could have wider implications for press access at the White House. In general, US presidents have broad discretion over press operations, but legal limits apply when access decisions appear to punish outlets for their viewpoint.