Federal Judge Considers Lawsuit Challenging Trump's Ban on Three News Outlets from White House
Quick Look
A teleconference court hearing began Wednesday on a lawsuit filed by MSNBC, CNN, and Politico seeking to block President Trump's ban of the three outlets from the White House, which he announced last Friday citing 'fake news' but the Justice Department defended as a national security measure within presidential authority.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The lawsuit follows President Trump's announcement last Friday banning MSNBC, CNN, and Politico from the White House, which he attributed to their publication of 'fake news' about his administration. The Justice Department later defended the ban as a national security measure within presidential authority.
A teleconference court hearing on President Donald Trump's controversial ban of three media outlets from the White House began Wednesday afternoon.
Judge Timothy Kelly is considering a request by the outlets — MS NOW, CNN and Politico — to block Trump from continuing to bar them from the White House.
The Justice Department, in a late Tuesday night filing, said Trump had barred the outlets on the grounds of national security concerns, and that the president had the legal right to do so. Trump did not cite that rationale when he announced the ban last Friday.
Kelly, who was appointed to U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., by Trump during his first term, could rule at any time.
Kelly in 2018 ruled against the White House when he ordered that it restore the access pass of then-CNN correspondent Jim Acosta, who had it revoked after a contentious exchange with Trump.
Trump said in announcing the ban on Friday accused them of "cumulative" stories that contained so-called "fake news" about him and his administration.
The ban took effect on Saturday, with journalists from the outlets having their access passes taken away by the Secret Service when they arrived at the White House.
The three outlets jointly sued Trump on Monday.
This is breaking news. Check back for updates.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Judge Timothy Kelly will issue a ruling on the lawsuit within the next 48 hours
Likely · Within hours
If the court rules against the Trump administration, the three outlets will have their White House access restored
Possible · Within days
Open Questions
- What specific national security concerns did the Justice Department cite in its filing?
- Will Judge Timothy Kelly issue a temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction?
- How will the court balance claims of presidential authority against First Amendment protections?
