Update of Federal Judge Timothy Kelly’s Ruling Regarding Media Ban
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Judge Timothy J. Kelly has issued a ruling — but it is an interim ruling, not yet a final judgment on the entire case.
On September 24, 2026, Judge Kelly of the U.S. District Court for D.C. granted CNN, MS NOW, and Politico a 14-day temporary restraining order (TRO) and ordered the Trump administration to “immediately return, reinstate, and restore” their White House access. The Associated Press
Kelly found that the outlets had shown a high likelihood of succeeding on their Fifth Amendment due-process claim. He concluded that their White House press credentials had been revoked without constitutionally adequate procedures. He also found the government’s stated national-security justification insufficiently supported by the record. News Channel 3-12
Importantly, this does not yet constitute Kelly’s final ruling on whether Trump’s actions violated the First Amendment. The TRO preserves/restores access while the litigation continues. Kelly indicated that the parties would submit further evidence and arguments during the following two weeks, potentially leading to a more comprehensive ruling. News Channel 3-12
The White House subsequently restored access to CNN, MS NOW and Politico, although there was initially a delay in implementing Kelly’s order. Reuters
There is also a new development today, September 27: Attorney General Todd Blanche publicly defended the administration’s position, arguing that White House access is a “privilege … not a right,” so the underlying legal dispute remains active.
the latest reporting and court information available as of Sunday, September 27, 2026. Here is the schedule now:
- Sept. 28 (Monday): CNN, MS NOW and Politico must file their motion asking Judge Timothy J. Kelly for a preliminary injunction—a longer-lasting order preventing the White House from excluding them while the lawsuit proceeds.
- Oct. 2 (Friday): The Trump administration must file its response.
- Oct. 5 (Monday): CNN, MS NOW and Politico may file their reply.
- Before/around Oct. 8: Judge Kelly has said he will schedule a hearing and intends to rule “expeditiously.” His present 14-day temporary restraining order expires October 8. KESQ
The next ruling could be considerably more important
Kelly’s September 24 decision was deliberately limited. He found that the news organizations were likely to succeed on their Fifth Amendment procedural-due-process claim, because their credentials were taken away without adequate notice and an opportunity to be heard. Justia Dockets & Filings
The outlets are also asserting a First Amendment claim: that the administration excluded them because of their reporting and viewpoints. Kelly did not finally decide that issue in granting the TRO. The preliminary-injunction proceedings could address the constitutional questions more fully. Axios
The administration, meanwhile, continues to contest the case. Attorney General Todd Blanche said today that White House access is a “privilege … not a right,” while acknowledging that litigation is continuing. ABC News
Description of the video below, in italics, below:
A judge temporarily halted President Trump’s ban on three media outlets on Thursday, citing due process concerns. CBS News legal contributor Jessica Levinson breaks down the constitutional questions, in the video published on Sep 24, 2026, by CBS News, as “Legal expert breaks down press rights as judge temporarily lifts Trump’s media ban“, below:
Description of the video below, in italics, below:
When Trump was gaggling with the press on September 26th, he was asked about the White House media ban. In response Trump said, “No, no, I want real news. Not fake news like you.” in the video published on Sep. 26, 2026, by New York Post, as “Trump SLAMS Reporter When Asked About White House Ban: ‘Not Fake News Like You’“, below:
Description of the video below, in italics, below:
ABC News’ Martha Raddatz interviews Attorney General Todd Blanche on “This Week.” in the video published on Sep 27, 2026, by ABC News, as “‘The president hasn’t denied access’: AG Blanche on Trump press ban“, below:
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