Trump administration to defend its ban of major news outlets in court
News Source
β’Wed, 23 Sep 2026 19:26:03 +0000
π° What Happened
The Trump administration is defending its ban on CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House. In a court filing it said the president has broad power over who gets access. A federal judge in Washington heard the case on Wednesday.
The three outlets sued on Monday to win back their access. White House letters accused them of spreading falsehoods and publishing sensitive or classified information. The filing said "access to the White House is a privilege, not a right".
The letters pointed to a CNN report on a bunker under the White House East Wing. Politico and MS NOW stories were also listed. The administration wants the court to overturn a 1977 ruling that protected press access.
π The Backstory
The 1977 case Sherrill v Knight said the White House cannot bar reporters without a good reason. The administration now asks the court to throw that ruling out.
The case went to US District Judge Timothy Kelly. He once ordered CNN reporter Jim Acosta's credentials restored. Trump appointed Kelly but said on social media he was disappointed in the choice.
Other news groups filed a brief backing the three outlets. They said removing media from White House grounds harms the public interest and breaks First Amendment law.
π― Why It Matters
Reporters need access to question the president. If courts allow broad bans, the public could learn much less about what its government is doing.
The Trump administration is defending its ban on CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House. In a court filing it said the president has broad power over who gets access. A federal judge in Washington heard the case on Wednesday.
The three outlets sued on Monday to win back their access. White House letters accused them of spreading falsehoods and publishing sensitive or classified information. The filing said "access to the White House is a privilege, not a right".
The letters pointed to a CNN report on a bunker under the White House East Wing. Politico and MS NOW stories were also listed. The administration wants the court to overturn a 1977 ruling that protected press access.
The 1977 case Sherrill v Knight said the White House cannot bar reporters without a good reason. The administration now asks the court to throw that ruling out.
The case went to US District Judge Timothy Kelly. He once ordered CNN reporter Jim Acosta's credentials restored. Trump appointed Kelly but said on social media he was disappointed in the choice.
Other news groups filed a brief backing the three outlets. They said removing media from White House grounds harms the public interest and breaks First Amendment law.
Reporters need access to question the president. If courts allow broad bans, the public could learn much less about what its government is doing.