Story perspectives

Judge Restores CNN, MSNBC, Politico White House Press Passes

By Drooid · Sep 27, 2026, 10:25 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump banned CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House.
Federal Judge Timothy Kelly issued a 14-day temporary restraining order restoring the outlets’ press passes.
The judge said the ban likely violated the reporters’ Fifth Amendment due-process rights.
White House officials delayed entry before allowing journalists back around noon.
Press-freedom groups condemned the ban as an intimidation tactic.

History

Historical Context

In 1971, the Supreme Court’s 7-2 ruling in New York Times Co. v. United States rejected Nixon administration’s attempt to block the Pentagon Papers. Chief Justice Warren Burger authored the majority opinion, emphasizing that prior restraint endangers democracy, while the court cited 2 newspapers publishing 7,000 classified pages. Similarly, Judge Timothy Kelly’s 14-day restraining order today restores White House press passes after President Donald Trump barred CNN, MS NOW and Politico. The parallel underscores enduring legal battles over Fifth-Amendment due process, suggesting future courts may again weigh executive power against press freedoms.

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Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump banned CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House.
Federal Judge Timothy Kelly issued a 14-day temporary restraining order restoring the outlets’ press passes.
The judge said the ban likely violated the reporters’ Fifth Amendment due-process rights.
White House officials delayed entry before allowing journalists back around noon.
Press-freedom groups condemned the ban as an intimidation tactic.

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