CNN, MS NOW and Politico retain court protection for their access to the White House while their challenge to the Trump administration’s attempt to exclude them continues. According to DW, federal judge Timothy Kelly extended that protection on 13 October. The order allows journalists to continue reporting from the White House; it is not a final ruling in the dispute.
The three news organisations brought the case citing constitutional protections for freedom of speech and due process — the right to fair legal procedures. Kelly had already issued an order in September temporarily restoring their journalists’ access. His latest decision extends that protection for the duration of the proceedings, meaning the outlets do not have to wait for a final judgment before working at the White House.
DW reports that the judge provisionally found that the attempt to exclude the outlets was likely unlawful and that they had reasonable grounds to expect to succeed in their case. That assessment does not settle the outcome: it was made when considering interim protection, before the court reaches a final decision.
Kelly also made clear that his decision did not mean Trump’s criticisms of the accuracy and impartiality of media reporting were unfounded. He further noted that the government remained able to protect national security in cases involving the unlawful disclosure of classified information.
The immediate effect of the decision is therefore to preserve the three outlets’ White House access during the ongoing dispute. Court protection remains in place, but whether the administration’s actions were lawful still awaits a final judgment.
