A federal court has dealt President Donald Trump a sharp legal defeat, ordering the immediate restoration of White House press credentials for reporters from CNN, MSN, and Politico. District Judge Tim Kelly ruled that the administration's decision to revoke the journalists' access was unconstitutional and lacked factual basis.
The judicial order blocks the administration from enforcing the ban for two weeks and mandates the immediate return of press passes. In his decision, Judge Kelly noted that the government's national security arguments were without merit, pointing out that the president himself had acknowledged the suspensions came in response to negative coverage published by the news organizations.
The suspended outlets had petitioned against the move, arguing it violated freedom of speech and press protections as well as due process rights.
The Justice Department countered that access to the presidential residence is merely a privilege, not a right. However, Judge Kelly clarified that the revocation process was carried out without adequate notice or the opportunity to be heard, as required by law.
A broad coalition of journalism organizations and major media outlets joined the legal battle, filing an amicus brief supporting the reporters' position. The document submitted to the court argued that penalizing journalists for editorial stance contradicts Supreme Court precedent spanning decades.
