CNN, MS NOW and Politico reporters regained access to the White House on Thursday, six days after President Donald Trump’s administration barred the three news organisations, following a federal court ruling ordering that their access be restored.
US District Judge Timothy Kelly ruled that the decision to revoke the outlets’ White House press credentials likely violated their constitutional due process rights. The three organisations had jointly challenged the ban, arguing that it infringed on press freedoms protected by the First Amendment.
Reporters from CNN, MS NOW and Politico were initially turned away by the Secret Service when they attempted to enter the White House ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit on Thursday. They were later permitted into the premises around midday.
The outlets had sought an urgent court hearing after the initial denial of access despite Kelly’s ruling. In his decision, the judge questioned the process used by the administration to remove the journalists, stressing that individuals generally must be given notice and an opportunity to be heard before the government deprives them of a constitutionally protected interest.
The White House had barred the three organisations on Friday, with Trump accusing them of publishing what he described as “fake news” and “fiction and lies.” The administration subsequently defended the decision, arguing that access to restricted areas of the White House is a privilege rather than a right.
The Department of Justice had also argued that the president has authority to control reporters’ access to restricted presidential areas, including the Oval Office.
The White House Press Office accused CNN of publishing false information concerning national security and other issues, as well as disclosing sensitive or classified information. Similar allegations were made against MS NOW and Politico.
The White House cited reports concerning the US-Iran war and an article about Trump’s plans for a military bunker beneath a proposed East Wing ballroom, which it alleged disclosed sensitive construction details.
However, Kelly expressed scepticism about the administration’s justification, saying the court was not convinced, based on the available record, that national security concerns were the actual motivation for, or were advanced by, the revocation of the outlets’ press credentials.
Trump has frequently criticised media organisations over coverage of his administration, including describing the press as the “enemy of the people.”
Meanwhile, ABC, CBS, CNN, Fox and NBC announced that they would suspend their participation in the White House television news pool in solidarity with CNN. The broadcasters said the public had a strong interest in receiving accurate and independent information about government and that news organisations should not be restricted because of disagreement with their reporting.
