White House Restores Press Credentials for Blocked Outlets Following Federal Court Ruling
Washington, Friday, 25 September 2026.
Following a federal judge’s order ruling that revoking credentials without notice violated constitutional due process, the White House reinstated press access for barred news organizations on Thursday.
Executive Action and Media Exclusion
The White House reinstated press credentials for journalists from CNN, Politico, and MS NOW on Thursday, 24 September 2026, following a federal court order [2]. This administrative reversal occurred after Secret Service officers initially blocked reporters from entering the complex earlier that morning, despite a ruling issued late the previous day [1]. The conflict originated when President Donald Trump announced restrictions on 18 September 2026, citing a pattern of dishonest reporting, leading to the formal ban implementation on 19 September 2026 [2]. The affected news organizations filed a civil complaint against the administration on 21 September 2026, arguing the exclusion violated their First Amendment rights [2].
Judicial Intervention and Compliance
U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly issued a temporary restraining order late on 23 September 2026, mandating the immediate restoration of access for the barred outlets [2]. Although the order was explicit, the initial refusal of entry on Thursday morning prompted the newsrooms to file a new court notice regarding non-compliance [1]. Following this notification, the White House director of operations filed a sworn declaration confirming that press passes had been reinstated, allowing staff to enter the premises [2]. The temporary restraining order is set to remain in effect for 14 days from the date of issuance, extending protection until at least 7 October 2026 [2].
Constitutional Grounds and Due Process
Judge Kelly’s decision relied primarily on Fifth Amendment due process arguments rather than directly ruling on First Amendment free-press claims at this stage [2]. The court noted that existing D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals rulings require the White House to provide advance notice and an opportunity to respond before revoking credentials, a procedure not followed in this instance [1]. Furthermore, the judge expressed skepticism regarding the administration’s assertion that national security concerns justified the ban, citing a lack of evidence in the record [2]. President Trump’s own public statements emphasized alleged negativity and lack of truthfulness in reporting rather than security threats, which influenced the court’s view [2].
Future Legal Proceedings and Deadlines
Legal representatives for the news outlets, including lawyer Theodore Boutrous Jr., described the ruling as a vindication of freedom of the press and the rule of law [2]. The court has scheduled further proceedings, requiring plaintiffs to file a motion for a preliminary injunction by 28 September 2026 [2]. Defendants are instructed to submit their response by 2 October 2026, with the judge planning to rule expeditiously on the matter [2]. The administration is expected to challenge the ruling as the case proceeds toward a potential long-term resolution [1].