Media outlets seek emergency hearing over White House press access
CNN, Politico and MS NOW say journalists were turned away after a judge ordered their access restored. It remains unclear whether the incidents reflected an administrative delay.
CNN, Politico and MS NOW have asked for an emergency court hearing, alleging the White House repeatedly failed to comply with an order restoring their access. The outlets reported that some journalists were denied entry on Thursday morning and had their credentials confiscated, while other staff were admitted.
US District Judge Timothy Kelly temporarily lifted President Donald Trump’s ban on the outlets, finding it likely violated their constitutional due process rights. His order required the administration to restore access for 14 days.
The outlets described mixed access on Thursday. CNN said senior White House reporter Betsy Klein was denied entry while a producer was allowed in. Politico reported one reporter was turned away and had his credentials confiscated. MS NOW said reporter Laura Barrón-López and a producer were barred and had their passes taken, while another producer entered.
It was unclear whether the refusals resulted from an administrative delay as the White House worked to implement the order. The available information does not establish whether every reported incident resulted from action taken after the ruling.
Trump initially said the ban was imposed over “fake news”; the White House later cited national security. The White House had not commented on the ruling at the time of the report, and further legal action by the president’s lawyers remained possible.
