World

Judge Rules Trump’s Ban on CNN, MS Now, Politico Likely Illegal

By Al Jazeera Staff

A federal judge has extended access to CNN, MS Now and Politico, which President Donald Trump had tried to bar from the White House. US District Judge Timothy Kelly said Trump likely violated the First Amendment by banning the three news organizations from attending White House briefings. The ruling, issued late Tuesday, builds on an emergency order issued on September 24 that temporarily restored access. Kelly wrote that Trump’s announcement of the ban and his subsequent remarks that the outlets were “writing or reporting FICTION and LIES” made it clear that the ban was based on the reporters’ viewpoints. The Department of Justice had said the reporters’ White House passes were revoked on national‑security grounds, but Kelly found no evidence that Trump ever cited national security as the reason for the revocation. The order remains in effect until the judge issues a final decision or an appeals court intervenes. Trump has long criticized mainstream media and has previously sought to restrict access to certain outlets, as well as filed lawsuits against media companies. During an October 8 hearing, Theodore Boutrous, a lawyer for the three banned organizations, said Trump was attempting to “coerce better coverage.” The Freedom of the Press Foundation welcomed the ruling, but senior adviser Caitlin Vogus warned that the administration could appeal and continue to block CNN and Politico from pool coverage of the president. She urged that Trump must not be allowed to trample on First Amendment protections by handpicking his press corps or rewarding favorable coverage.