CNN, MS NOW and Politico prevail against White House — for now
A federal judge ruled that the Trump administration cannot revoke press credentials for news organizations simply because of their critical coverage. The court found that such actions violate the First Amendment and due process rights of the journalists involved.
Why it matters
This ruling reinforces the legal protections for the press against executive retaliation and sets a precedent for maintaining access to government officials.
A federal judge ruled late Tuesday that President Trump cannot ban news organizations from covering him at the White House because he does not like the nature of their coverage - at least, not until the matter goes to a formal trial.
U.S. District Court Judge Timothy J. Kelly found that Trump's decision to bar more than 70 journalists from CNN, MS NOW and Politico violated their fundamental free speech in two separate ways as well as their due process rights. Both rights are enshrined in the Bill of Rights to the U.S. Constitution.
The news organizations sued last month after the Trump administration denied them access. The judge granted a temporary restraining order to CNN, MS NOW and Politico on Sept. 24.
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7 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
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