WASHINGTON, Sept. 24, 2026 — A federal judge on Thursday ordered President Donald Trump’s administration to restore White House access for journalists from CNN, MS NOW and Politico, dealing a legal setback to restrictions imposed on the three news organizations.
U.S. District Judge Tim Kelly issued the order in a lawsuit brought by the outlets after Trump announced the access restrictions on September 18. According to Reuters, Kelly concluded that the news organizations were likely to succeed on their argument that the ban violated constitutional protections.
The ruling addresses access while the broader legal challenge continues. It does not represent a final judgment on every issue raised in the case.
What the ruling means
The dispute centers on whether the White House can exclude particular news organizations from press access in response to their coverage. The plaintiffs challenged the restrictions on constitutional grounds, while the administration has defended its authority over access to White House facilities and events.
Thursday’s order requires access to be restored as the litigation proceeds. The case is part of a broader, long-running debate over presidential control of press credentials and the First Amendment rights of journalists covering the government.
Why it matters
White House access allows news organizations to question senior officials directly and report from presidential events. Court decisions governing that access can therefore have implications beyond the three organizations involved in this case.
Zark News will update this report if the administration responds to the order, seeks an appeal, or the court issues additional rulings.
Source: Reuters reporting published September 24, 2026. Political and legal claims are attributed to the relevant parties and court findings.