CNN, MS NOW and Politico journalists have regained access to the White House after a US federal judge temporarily blocked the Trump administration’s move to bar the three news organisations.
The administration complied with the court order on Thursday, restoring access to the outlets while their legal challenge continues.
CNN said it would resume covering President Donald Trump’s events, with the network scheduled to provide coverage from the National Archives on Friday as Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping were expected to visit the complex.
Judge orders access restored
US District Judge Timothy Kelly ordered the Trump administration to immediately restore White House access to journalists from CNN, MS NOW and Politico.
The judge’s order temporarily halted the administration’s ban for 14 days while the legal challenge proceeds. Kelly also found that the outlets were likely to succeed in arguing that the withdrawal of their White House credentials violated their constitutional due process rights.
The three news organisations had sued the administration after their reporters were barred from the White House. They argued that the restrictions were linked to their coverage and violated constitutional protections.
The White House has maintained that access to the White House is a privilege rather than a right.
Reporters initially faced access problems
Even after the judge’s order, journalists from the three outlets initially faced difficulties returning to the White House.
CNN, MS NOW and Politico reporters were initially turned away as officials worked to restore their credentials. The administration later complied with the order and reinstated their access.
The episode came as Chinese President Xi Jinping was visiting Washington, adding attention to the dispute because of the high-profile diplomatic events taking place at the White House.
Coverage resumes amid ongoing court fight
CNN reporter Kristen Holmes said on air that CNN would be providing pool coverage from the National Archives on Friday. CBS was also scheduled to provide pool-camera coverage from the White House.
Reuters reported that US television networks would resume coverage of Trump’s events following the restoration of access.
However, the court order has not ended the underlying legal dispute. The case filed by CNN, MS NOW and Politico against the administration remains pending, with the temporary order providing access while the litigation continues.
The dispute has placed White House media access and the administration’s relationship with major news organisations at the centre of an ongoing legal and press-freedom debate.
