Federal Judge Extends Order Allowing CNN, MS NOW, and Politico Access to White House

<p>A federal judge appointed by President Donald Trump extended an order blocking the administration from banning CNN, MS NOW, and Politico reporters from the White House, finding the restrictions likely violated the outlets' First Amendment rights.</p><p>U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly issued a preliminary injunction on October 13, 2026, allowing journalists from the three organizations to retain their White House press credentials while their lawsuit proceeds, according to The Associated Press.</p><p>A White House official confirmed to Fox News Digital that the administration intends to appeal the ruling, criticizing the decision and defending the restrictions on the outlets' access to the president.</p><p>The official stated, "The fake news has no place demanding a spot in the president’s Oval Office. The lies they smear are a disservice to the American public and tear at the very fabric of our democracy. They’re completely capable of reporting from directly outside. We intend to appeal this misguided decision."</p><p>Theodore Boutrous Jr., an attorney representing CNN, MS NOW, and Politico, welcomed the ruling in a statement provided to Fox News Digital, saying, "We are grateful that the court ruled in favor of our clients CNN, MS NOW, and POLITICO and secured access to the White House for these news media organizations and their journalists."</p><p>Boutrous accused Trump of restricting the outlets' access to punish unfavorable reporting and stated that the ruling protects the organizations' constitutional rights.</p><p>The ruling expands Kelly's September 24 temporary restraining order, which found the outlets were likely to succeed on their Fifth Amendment due process claims. Kelly now also determined the restrictions likely violated the First Amendment because they were motivated by Trump's objections to the outlets' coverage rather than national security concerns, the AP reported.</p><p>Kelly also rejected the administration's request to suspend his ruling pending an appeal, according to the AP.</p><p>Trump announced the ban in September, criticizing the three organizations' reporting. White House officials subsequently deactivated or confiscated reporters' credentials, prompting the outlets and three journalists to sue over alleged First Amendment and Fifth Amendment violations.</p><p>Justice Department attorneys argued that White House press access is a privilege, not a right, and defended the president's authority to determine which journalists receive credentials.</p><p>The lawsuit remains pending, with the preliminary injunction keeping the three outlets' White House credentials in place while the legal battle continues.</p>