Federal judge orders Trump administration to restore White House access to CNN, MS Now and Politico

A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to restore White House access to journalists from CNN, MS Now and Politico, finding that the ban on the three news outlets was likely unconstitutional.

U.S. District Judge Tim Kelly issued the order in a lawsuit filed by the outlets challenging the ban announced by President Donald Trump on Sept. 18. Kelly said the order must remain in effect for 14 days.

On Wednesday, Kelly pointed to established case law requiring a separate process that provides advance notice of an alleged violation and a chance for the affected party to respond.

The judge wrote that prior decisions make clear that “before a journalist’s White House hard pass is suspended or revoked, the journalist is entitled to notice before deprivation and an opportunity to be heard.”

Trump had said on social media that the outlets “shouldn’t be able to constantly write or report FICTION and LIES.” Justice Department lawyers sought to defend the ban on national security grounds.

Update: This is a developing story, and this article will be updated with further developments.

Source link