CNN and MS NOW Reporters Regain White House Entry After Morning Block Despite Judge’s Order
WASHINGTON — CNN and MS NOW reporters regained entry to the White House on Thursday afternoon after a chaotic morning in which journalists were turned away despite a federal judge’s overnight order requiring the administration to immediately restore their press credentials.
U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Kelly issued a 14-day temporary restraining order in the early hours of September 24, directing the White House to “immediately return, reinstate, and restore” hard-pass credentials for employees of CNN, MS NOW and Politico. Kelly, a Trump appointee, ruled the outlets were likely to succeed on their due-process claim because they received no advance notice or chance to be heard before the ban announced by President Donald Trump on September 18. He also found insufficient support at this stage for the administration’s national-security rationale.
Implementation lagged. Reporters attempting to enter Thursday morning were blocked; some credentials were confiscated by the Secret Service. CNN’s Betsy Klein was denied entry multiple times and reported from outside the gates. MS NOW’s Laura Barrón-López and a Politico correspondent faced similar barriers. The three outlets filed an emergency request accusing the administration of violating the order and noting CNN was slated to serve as television pool for Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit that evening. Kelly ordered a response by 12:30 p.m. ET.
Access for CNN and MS NOW was restored just after noon. Klein and another CNN reporter were admitted; Klein returned to the network’s north lawn booth. MS NOW confirmed its staff regained entry. A White House press operations statement submitted to the court said credentials had been restored Thursday morning, with the Secret Service reporting badges reactivated by 9:25 a.m. and confiscated passes available for pickup by 9:55 a.m. Politico’s status was not immediately confirmed in initial reports.
The episode highlighted the gap between a court order and on-the-ground enforcement at White House checkpoints. The underlying lawsuit continues, and the administration has signaled it will appeal. Trump originally cited “fake news” and negative coverage when imposing the ban; the outlets have argued viewpoint discrimination and First Amendment harm.The restoration came as the White House prepared for the high-profile Xi visit, underscoring the practical stakes of the access fight for coverage of major events.
CNN and MS NOW Reporters Regain White House Entry After Morning Block Despite Judge’s Order
After being turned away Thursday morning despite a federal judge’s order, CNN and MS NOW journalists regained White House access around noon. Latest on the press-ban standoff with Politico status pending.
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