A federal judge has blocked President Trump’s attempt to revoke White House press credentials from journalists representing three major news organizations, finding that the action likely violated constitutional protections.
U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly issued a preliminary injunction Tuesday that restores indefinite White House access to reporters from the affected outlets. In his 26-page decision, Judge Kelly determined that the revocation of press credentials likely infringed upon both Fifth and First Amendment rights.
Judge Kelly, who was appointed to the bench by President Trump, wrote that the president’s action “is likely the sort that would deter a reasonable reporter or news organization from publishing stories to which he objects.” The judge emphasized that access to the White House grounds remains essential to journalists’ ability to perform their duties effectively.
The ruling cited the president’s own statements as evidence of intent to influence coverage. “The President’s comments suggest that he intended the revocation of Plaintiffs’ hard passes to alter their reporting on him, bolstering the case that his action here is sufficient to deter a reporter of ordinary firmness from reporting in the same way she had before,” Kelly wrote.
The Justice Department has announced its intention to appeal the decision.
A White House official responded to the ruling with a statement defending the administration’s position. “The Fake News has no place demanding a spot in the President’s Oval Office. The lies they smear are a disservice to the American public and tear at the very fabric of our Democracy. They’re completely capable of reporting from directly outside.”
Theodore Boutrous, representing the three news organizations, defended the court’s decision. “When the President issued his ban on the free press, he blatantly and explicitly violated due process and the First Amendment,” Boutrous stated. He noted that the president has repeatedly acknowledged his motivation was to punish unfavorable coverage and influence future reporting.
President Trump announced the ban last month, citing what he characterized as the outlets’ persistent publication of false information. Reporters who arrived at the White House the following day were denied entry and had their credentials confiscated by the U.S. Secret Service.
The news organizations filed their lawsuit on September 21, arguing the ban constituted retaliation for protected speech under the First Amendment. Their complaint also asserted a violation of Fifth Amendment due process rights, noting that journalists received no advance warning that their coverage could result in credential revocation, nor were they afforded an opportunity to respond before the action was taken.
The preliminary injunction will remain in effect as the case proceeds through the courts. This legal battle raises fundamental questions about executive power and press freedom that will require careful examination as it moves forward.
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