Story perspectives

Judge Restores CNN, MSNBC and Politico Press Passes

By Drooid · Sep 24, 2026, 5:57 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

District Judge Timothy Kelly issued a 14-day temporary restraining order restoring the outlets’ press passes.
Kelly said the ban likely violated the First Amendment and due-process because reporters received no notice.
White House security blocked President Donald Trump’s ban on CNN, MS NOW and Politico on Sept. 24, prompting an emergency hearing.
The judge rejected the Justice Department’s national-security justification, finding no supporting evidence.

History

Historical Context

In 1971 the Supreme Court, in a 6-3 ruling, rejected the Nixon administration’s attempt to block the Pentagon Papers, affirming that prior restraint requires a “grave and irreparable” danger showing. That precedent guided today’s emergency hearing, where Judge Timothy Kelly restored press credentials for CNN, MS NOW and Politico, reinforcing courts’ demand for concrete security evidence before limiting media access.

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Story summary

District Judge Timothy Kelly issued a 14-day temporary restraining order restoring the outlets’ press passes.
Kelly said the ban likely violated the First Amendment and due-process because reporters received no notice.
White House security blocked President Donald Trump’s ban on CNN, MS NOW and Politico on Sept. 24, prompting an emergency hearing.
The judge rejected the Justice Department’s national-security justification, finding no supporting evidence.

1 / 2