US judge rules Trump likely broke law banning news outlets from White House
A US judge ruled Trump likely broke the law by banning CNN, MSNBC and Politico from the White House.
US District Judge Timothy Kelly kept White House access open for three news organisations Trump tried to ban. The judge ruled the president likely broke the Constitution.
Kelly issued a preliminary injunction on Tuesday. The injunction stays in place until he makes a final judgment.
Trump banned CNN, MS NOW and Politico in September. He said their reporting was biased and wrong.
The judge found Trump acted because he disliked their coverage. The government later claimed national security reasons.
Kelly wrote the ban was unlawful viewpoint discrimination. The preliminary injunction follows Kelly's September emergency order.
That order temporarily restored the journalists' access.
- Timothy Kelly, US District Court
- Judge
- CNN, MSNBC, Politico
- Banned outlets
- September 2026
- Ban announced
- Preliminary injunction issued Tuesday
- Court order
Why it mattersThis is a significant legal loss for Trump. His campaign against major news outlets is unprecedented. The ruling shows a president cannot ban news organisations just because he dislikes their coverage.
AustraliaNo direct Australian effect yet, though press freedom principles matter globally and set precedent for how democracies handle media access.
Corroborated bytheguardian.com
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 3 h ago
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