US judge blocks Donald Trump's White House ban on key media outlets

US District Judge Tim Kelly issued the order in a lawsuit filed by the three news organisations challenging the ban announced by Trump on September 18.

In Short

• US judge orders restoration of White House access for CNN, MS NOW, Politico
• Judge Tim Kelly issues order amid ongoing legal challenge
• Donald Trump had banned outlets citing false reporting claims

A US federal judge on Thursday ordered President Donald Trump’s administration to restore White House access for journalists from CNN, MS NOW and Politico, ruling that the ban imposed on the three media outlets was likely unconstitutional.

US District Judge Timothy Kelly issued the order in a lawsuit filed by the three news organisations challenging the ban announced by Trump on September 18.

The ruling marks a setback for Trump in one of his biggest battles with the media. The Republican president had announced the ban on the three outlets on social media, saying the three outlets “shouldn't be able to constantly write or report fiction and lies.”

"I am proud to announce that, effective immediately, I am banning Fake News CNN, MSNOW ... and Politico ... from the White House as a result of their constant ‘reporting’ FAKE NEWS!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

The Trump administration had sought to defend the ban on national security grounds, with Justice Department lawyers arguing in support of the restrictions.

TIMOTHY KELLY EXPRESSES SCEPTICISM OVER THE ORDER

The development came after the federal judge expressed his scepticism over the decision to ban the news outlets, saying the move did not appear to follow legal precedents requiring the news organisations to be given a meaningful opportunity to respond.

He also said that the administration appeared to have disregarded two earlier rulings by the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit on revoking White House press access.

"Maybe they were wrongly decided, maybe they weren't. But as a district court judge, I have to apply them," Kelly said, responding to the outlet's request for a temporary restraining order to restore their access to the White House.

The hearing came amid an escalating clash between the White House and the media.

TRUMP ATTACKS TIMOTHY KELLY

As the judge expressed his scepticism over the decision, the US President did not hold back his frustration.

"They have drawn a great Judge, for them, a man who ruled in favour of Jim Acosta, who now seems to have disappeared from the Planet. The Judge’s name is Tim Kelly, and he was, sadly, appointed by “TRUMP," he wrote on Truth Social.

Kelly had also questioned the US Department of Justice for defending the ban. Earlier, the Justice Department said that they have access to several letters that were sent to the news outlets. It further said that those letters gave the administration issue sufficient notice to the news outlets.

Questioning that, Kelly said that said it was unclear how a letter received after the pass was revoked could have served as notice.

- Ends