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The situation later changed, with CNN and MS NOW reporting that their journalists had been allowed back onto the White House grounds.
CNN and MS NOW tents remain dark and unoccupied in Washington, DC, on September 24, 2026, amid the ongoing White House press access dispute. (Photo: AFP)
Reporters from CNN, MS NOW and Politico have regained access to the White House after being briefly denied entry despite a federal judge’s order directing the Trump administration to restore their press credentials.
The developments followed an overnight ruling by US District Judge Timothy Kelly, who ordered the White House to “immediately return, reinstate, and restore” access for journalists from the three outlets.
Kelly issued a 14-day temporary restraining order after finding that the outlets were likely to succeed in arguing that their press credentials had been revoked without adequate due process.
Reporters Initially Denied Entry
Hours after the ruling, journalists from CNN, MS NOW and Politico said they were still being blocked from entering the White House grounds. The outlets subsequently asked the court for an emergency hearing, saying their reporters had attempted to enter but were turned away.
The situation later changed, with CNN and MS NOW reporting that their journalists had been allowed back onto the White House grounds. Reuters also reported that the White House said it had reinstated journalists from CNN, MS NOW and Politico.
Xi Visit Adds Urgency
The dispute unfolded on the same day Chinese President Xi Jinping was visiting Washington. CNN had been scheduled to serve as the television press pool for Xi’s White House visit, making the restoration of its access particularly time-sensitive, according to the outlets’ court filing.
The press pool, which rotates among major US television networks, had also become part of the wider dispute. AP reported that the five major US networks had suspended coverage of Trump’s pool events in solidarity with CNN.
Judge Blocks Trump Administration’s Ban
The legal dispute began after the Trump administration barred CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House. The outlets challenged the move in court, arguing that the ban violated their constitutional rights.
Judge Kelly’s order temporarily blocked the ban and restored access for 14 days. He said the outlets were likely to succeed in showing that their credentials had been revoked without due process. The administration, meanwhile, argued that access to restricted areas of the White House is a privilege and defended its authority to control press access.
Quick Answers
Ask News18US District Judge Timothy Kelly issued a 14-day temporary restraining order after finding that the news outlets were likely to succeed in arguing that their press credentials had been revoked without adequate due process.
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Pragya Bahuguna is a digital journalist at News18.com, covering national and international news, including Indian politics and geopolitics, with an interest in environment and climate affairs. She hol…Read More
Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)
September 24, 2026, 9:02 PM IST
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