Trump suffers legal setback as ban on CNN, MSNBC and Politico reporters halted
Washington: A US federal court has blocked the Trump administration from enforcing its decision to bar reporters from CNN, MSNBC and Politico from the White House.Judge Timothy Kelly issued a preliminary injunction on October 13, saying the three news organisations were likely to succeed in their claims that the move violated their constitutional rights to…
Washington: A US federal court has blocked the Trump administration from enforcing its decision to bar reporters from CNN, MSNBC and Politico from the White House.
Judge Timothy Kelly issued a preliminary injunction on October 13, saying the three news organisations were likely to succeed in their claims that the move violated their constitutional rights to free expression and due process. The order will remain in effect until the case is decided, unless an appeals court changes it.
The court said revoking the reporters’ press passes could violate rights protected under the First and Fifth Amendments. Judge Kelly said the White House had not given the journalists clear notice or a meaningful opportunity to respond before imposing the ban.
The dispute began on September 18, when Trump said on social media that reporters from the three outlets would not be allowed into the White House because of what he called their continued publication of “fake news.”
According to the Associated Press, a total of 78 journalists from the three organisations could have been affected. The administration argued that White House access is a privilege rather than an absolute right, while the media organisations said they were being targeted over their reporting.
The current ruling applies only to the press passes and White House access of the affected journalists. Court proceedings are ongoing, and the administration may appeal the decision.
