Reporters Blocked From White House Grounds Despite Federal Court Order

Journalists from Politico, MS Now, and CNN were turned away by the Secret Service while attempting to enter the White House grounds on Thursday, despite a federal court order instructing the administration to restore their access. One Politico journalist reported that security personnel confiscated their credentials during the attempt.

The developments follow a ruling by U.S. District Judge Tim Kelly, who issued an overnight order temporarily blocking the administration's press ban for 14 days and instructing officials to immediately return the journalists' hard passes. Judge Kelly characterized the ban as likely unconstitutional and dismissed the Justice Department's arguments that the restrictions were necessary for national security. In his ruling, the judge stated that the record lacked factual support showing that reinstating the passes would endanger national security or that revoking them protected it.

Legal Action and Administration Response

In response to being denied entry on Thursday morning, CNN, MS Now, and Politico filed a joint court motion stating that the Trump administration had failed to comply with the court's order. The news organizations have requested an emergency follow-up hearing with Judge Kelly to address the non-compliance.

U.S. President Donald Trump originally announced the decision to bar the three outlets on September 18, accusing them on social media of reporting falsehoods. Mr. Trump later stated in the Oval Office that there was an issue with allowing individuals to write intentionally negative news coverage. In response, CNN called the proposed restrictions an illegal assault on its constitutional rights, while Politico stated it would defend its First Amendment protections. Bruce Brown, president of the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, also criticized the ban, calling it flatly unconstitutional.