DOJ Supports Trump's Authority to Restrict Press Access at White House

WHO:

Deadline - The Justice Department, President Donald Trump, CNN, MS NOW, Politico, Judge Timothy Kelly

WHAT:

Deadline - The Justice Department argued that Trump can legally ban CNN, MS NOW, and Politico from the White House.

CNN - A federal judge granted the three outlets a temporary restraining order that forced the White House to reinstate dozens of their reporters.

CNN - The Justice Department filed a court document requesting that Trump be allowed to reinstate the press ban.

CNN - Judge Kelly is considering whether to extend a two-week order restoring the outlets’ access to the White House.

CNN - A hearing is scheduled for Thursday regarding the news outlets’ request for a preliminary injunction.

CNN - The Justice Department stated that the outlets had published stories that adversely affect national security.

CNN - The White House has limited the outlets’ ability to participate in the press pool.

WHERE:

Deadline - The White House

WHEN:

CNN - A hearing is set for Thursday regarding the preliminary injunction.

WHY:

Deadline - The Justice Department argued that the outlets did not meet the “minimum requirements of professionalism.”

CNN - The White House claimed that the media companies published stories that posed a national security risk.

HOW:

CNN - The Justice Department argued that it was not required to show that the outlets “actually published classified information” to justify the ban.

CNN - The Justice Department emphasized that the president determined the outlets failed to meet standards of professionalism expected for journalists.

(UPDATED October 3, 2026 16:31 UTC)

The Justice Department is pushing for President Trump to reinstate a press ban on CNN, MS NOW, and Politico, arguing that these outlets have not met the necessary standards of professionalism and have published stories that could threaten national security. In response, a federal judge has granted a temporary restraining order, allowing the three news organizations to regain access to the White House, with a hearing scheduled for Thursday to discuss their request for a preliminary injunction. Judge Timothy Kelly is currently considering whether to extend the two-week order that has restored the outlets' access, as the Justice Department maintains that it does not need to prove the publication of classified information to justify the ban.