A federal judge postponed ruling on Wednesday whether President Donald Trump can arbitrarily ban journalists from covering the White House, delaying the question of restoring press access to three national news organizations
In a virtual hearing Wednesday afternoon, U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly did not rule from the bench on restoring credentials for MS NOW, CNN and Politico, which were ejected from the White House grounds and pool on Saturday.
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Lawyers representing the three news organizations alleged that Trump’s ban violates not only the First Amendment but also the due process clause of the Fifth Amendment. They also said the ban inhibits affected journalists from effectively doing their jobs.
“The ban irreparably curtails the organizations’ speech — preventing them from being able to publish stories they otherwise would — each day it remains in effect,” the complaint alleged. “The ban also impermissibly chills the speech of other news organizations and journalists, who must now balance conducting their constitutionally protected and vitally important work of reporting on the White House against the risk that coverage the President ‘dislike’ will condemn them to the same fate.”
In a virtual hearing Wednesday afternoon, U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly did not rule from the bench on restoring credentials for MS NOW, CNN and Politico, which were ejected from the White House grounds and pool on Saturday.
Federal judge delays ruling on Trump’s ban of MS NOW, CNN and Politico from White House — MS NOW
The hearing took place as the Trump administration increasingly targets media coverage he argues is unfair to him.
“The ban irreparably curtails the organizations’ speech — preventing them from being able to publish stories they otherwise would — each day it remains in effect,” the complaint alleged. “The ban also impermissibly chills the speech of other news organizations and journalists, who must now balance conducting their constitutionally protected and vitally important work of reporting on the White House against the risk that coverage the President ‘dislike’ will condemn them to the same fate.”
