# Trump-Appointed Judge Blocks Trump's Ban on CNN, MSNBC, Politico - URL: https://twotakes.us/stories/trump-appointed-judge-blocks-trumps-ban-on-cnn-msnbc-politico - Published: 2026-09-24T19:09:54.932146+00:00 - Topics: press-freedom, white-house-press-access, first-amendment, trump-administration, judiciary ## What the left says - The ruling confirms that press access to the White House cannot be revoked as retaliation for critical or unfavorable coverage without violating due process protections. - The judge found no factual support for the administration's national security justification, exposing it as a pretextual excuse for punishing outlets Trump has publicly labeled 'fake news.' - The fact that a Trump-appointed judge ruled against the ban underscores that this is not a partisan judicial overreach but a straightforward application of First Amendment and due process principles. - Solidarity from other networks, including Fox News, in suspending pool coverage shows broad recognition across the media industry that unchecked exclusion of outlets sets a dangerous precedent for press freedom. ## What the right says - The administration argues it has compelling authority to enforce minimum professionalism standards for journalists granted privileged access to the White House complex. - Officials maintain that CNN, MS NOW, and Politico published sensitive or classified information and spread falsehoods that posed genuine national security risks, particularly regarding coverage of the Iran war and other sensitive matters. - Access to the White House has long been treated as a discretionary privilege rather than a constitutional right, giving the president latitude to determine who receives credentials. - The administration plans to appeal, framing the fight as part of a broader effort to hold legacy media accountable for what it views as persistently negative or inaccurate reporting. ## Common ground - Judge Timothy J. Kelly, a Trump appointee, presided over the case and initially declined to issue an immediate ruling before later granting a 14-day injunction restoring the outlets' access. - The dispute centers on Trump's September 19 decision to bar CNN, Politico, and MS NOW from White House grounds over their reporting. - The three outlets sued the administration, and the Justice Department defended the ban by citing national security concerns and professionalism standards. - The administration has signaled it intends to appeal any ruling that restores the outlets' access, indicating the legal battle is not yet resolved. ## Sources - [Townhall](https://townhall.com/news/mattvespa/2026/09/23/not-so-fast-my-friend-lib-hopes-of-trumps-wh-media-ban-getting-tossed-got-trashed-today-n2683489) (Right) - [ABC News](https://abcnews.com/US/judge-orders-white-house-restore-press-passes-cnn/story?id=136709442) (Lean Left) - [Axios](https://www.axios.com/2026/09/24/white-house-press-ban-court-order) (Lean Left) - [Axios](https://www.axios.com/2026/09/24/cnn-white-house-ms-politico-access) (Lean Left) - [BBC News](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cqe8ek7608mlo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss) (Center) - [Breitbart](https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2026/09/24/federal-judge-orders-trump-to-immediately-lift-white-house-media-ban/) (Right) - [Just The News](https://justthenews.com/government/white-house/you-vote-matter-president-trump-banning-certain-media-white-house-what-say?utm_source=justthenews.com&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=external-news-aggregators) (Right) - [Newsmax](https://www.newsmax.com/politics/judge-ruling-news-outlets/2026/09/23/id/1270451) (Right) - [Blaze Media](https://www.theblaze.com/news/trump-judge-delivers-fake-news-unappealable-temporary-win-in-battle-with-president) (Right) - [Breitbart](https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2026/09/23/judge-will-not-yet-rule-on-white-house-stripping-media-outlets-of-credentials-as-soon-as-i-can/) (Unknown) - [CBS News](https://www.cbsnews.com/video/legal-expert-breaks-down-white-house-media-ban-as-federal-judge-still-to-issue-ruling/) (Lean Left) - [Daily Wire](https://www.dailywire.com/news/federal-judge-rules-against-trump-on-liberal-press-ban) (Right) - [Just The News](https://justthenews.com/government/courts-law/federal-judge-gives-trump-admin-win-media-case-refuses-allow-outlets?utm_source=justthenews.com&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=external-news-aggregators) (Right) - [RedState](https://redstate.com/nick-arama/2026/09/23/media-outlets-have-to-be-gnashing-their-teeth-after-court-hearing-on-media-ban-n2207312) (Unknown) - [CBS News](https://www.cbsnews.com/video/banned-news-outlets-back-in-the-white-house-after-judge-order-and-chaotic-morning-locked-out/) (Lean Left) - [CBS News](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/judge-blocks-trump-ban-cnn-ms-now-politico-restoring-white-house-access/) (Lean Left) - [CBS News](https://www.cbsnews.com/video/ms-now-and-cnn-reporters-regain-access-to-white-house-after-judges-order/) (Lean Left) - [Daily Caller](https://dailycaller.com/2026/09/24/trump-fake-news-ban-cnn-msnow-politico-white-house-tim-kelly) (Right) - [Just The News](https://justthenews.com/government/white-house/white-house-readmits-cnn-after-court-blocks-media-ban?utm_source=justthenews.com&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=external-news-aggregators) (Right) - [Le·gal In·sur·rec·tion](https://legalinsurrection.com/2026/09/judge-temporarily-blocks-trumps-ban-on-cnn-ms-now-politico/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=judge-temporarily-blocks-trumps-ban-on-cnn-ms-now-politico) (Unknown) --- Content by TwoTakes (https://twotakes.us). 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