By — Laurie Kellman, Associated Press Laurie Kellman, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/cnn-msnow-and-politico-ask-court-to-make-trump-access-order-permanent Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter CNN, MSNOW and Politico ask court to make Trump access order permanent Politics Oct 29, 2026 1:10 PM EDT Three news outlets have beefed up their legal complaint against the White House over access, saying it is continuing to defy a judge's orders by refusing to let them return to covering President Donald Trump in the Oval Office and on Air Force One — thus violating their free speech rights by continuing to keep them out of the rotating press "pool." CNN, MSNOW and Politico said Wednesday that the president is retaliating against them for reports he does not like, which violates U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly's previous orders for the administration to allow reporters for the outlets to fully return to the pool of journalists covering the president. WATCH: Attorney for banned outlets on legal fight over White House press access Even after those orders, the White House was continuing…
CNN, MSNOW and Politico ask court to make Trump access order permanent
In short
The amended lawsuit follows decisions by U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly, who determined the administration likely violated the outlets' First Amendment free speech and Fifth Amendment due process rights. Kelly previously dismissed the White House's national security and policy arguments, labeling the restrictions as unconstitutional viewpoint discrimination. Meanwhile, Trump asserts he holds no legal obligation to accommodate journalists who produce unfavorable coverage. Media organizations caution that this precedent threatens the entire press corps and deprives citizens of vital news about their leaders.
Key points
- The legal challenge seeks to halt what plaintiffs describe as retaliation for news covera…: The legal challenge seeks to halt what plaintiffs describe as retaliation for news coverage President Donald Trump dislikes.
- Judge Kelly rejected national security defenses, characterizing the pool exclusions as un…: Judge Kelly rejected national security defenses, characterizing the pool exclusions as unlawful viewpoint discrimination.
- News organizations warn that permitting these restrictions jeopardizes the entire press c…: News organizations warn that permitting these restrictions jeopardizes the entire press corps and limits public oversight.