Federal Judge Orders White House to Restore Press Access for CNN, MS NOW, Politico

Baltimore, MD, September 24, 2026 — A federal judge in Washington D.C. has mandated the immediate reinstatement of press credentials for journalists representing CNN, MS NOW, and Politico. The order came as a 14-day temporary restraining order was issued, addressing a ban previously imposed by the White House on these media organizations.

The judge’s ruling indicates that the prohibition on access likely infringed upon the constitutional due process rights afforded to the media outlets. According to the order, the ban was not substantiated by national security concerns, a key point in the judicial decision.

The court’s intervention means that reporters from CNN, MS NOW, and Politico should regain their ability to attend White House briefings and events. The duration of this temporary restraining order is set for 14 days, during which further proceedings or decisions may occur.

Details regarding the specific timeline of the initial ban or the exact nature of the events from which the journalists were excluded were not provided in the summary. The ruling establishes that the legal basis for the ban was deemed insufficient, particularly concerning national security justifications.

The decision highlights a legal challenge to the White House’s authority in restricting access for accredited members of the press. The temporary restraining order signifies a preliminary judicial stance favoring the media outlets’ claims of violated due process rights.

The contractor responsible for implementing the ban, or the specific White House department that issued it, was not detailed in the provided information. The outcome of this 14-day order will determine the next steps in the legal process concerning press access.

Story summarized from the original created by Callum Sutherland on time.com, see more information here.

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