President Donald Trump’s White House plunged into another legal showdown with the press Thursday after reporters from CNN, MS NOW and Politico said they were still denied access hours after a federal judge ordered their credentials restored.
U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly issued a temporary restraining order early Thursday directing White House officials to “immediately return, reinstate, and restore” the hard passes that had been revoked from journalists working for the three outlets.
The order is set to remain in effect for 14 days while the larger lawsuit moves forward.
But the fight was far from over.
Reporters from the affected outlets said they were turned away again Thursday morning, prompting their lawyers to ask the court for an immediate hearing over what they described as noncompliance with Kelly’s order.
The White House had initially revoked the credentials Sept. 18 after Trump accused CNN, MS NOW and Politico of spreading “fake news.”
LMAO! Both MS NOW and Politico have been DENIED access to the White House again this morning
Both reporters weren’t just denied — they had their badges CONFISCATED by Secret Service
Hold the line, 47! https://t.co/56WyIGpDjv pic.twitter.com/iRPQHBRIYt
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) September 24, 2026
The three organizations then sued, arguing that the administration retaliated against them because of their coverage and stripped them of access without constitutionally adequate due process.
Kelly found the outlets had shown a likelihood of success, at least on their Fifth Amendment due process claim.
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The escalating fight unfolded as Trump hosted Chinese President Xi Jinping and first lady Peng Liyuan at the White House for a high-profile state visit.
Trump welcomed Xi while praising the relationship the two leaders have developed over the years.
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He said: ‘We have spent time together all over the world.’
Donald Trump said the meetings helped the two men build what he described as a close personal relationship.
During those visits, Xi and Trump have ‘forged a friendship, a truly great friendship, actually.’
The president also praised the reception he received during an earlier visit to Beijing.
He said it was a ‘great privilege’ to visit Beijing earlier this year and said Xi showed ‘spectacular and very beautiful hospitality.’
Trump said he and first lady Melania Trump ‘are honoured to host you’ in ‘the beautiful White House.’
Xi, meanwhile, called for continued communication between Washington and Beijing despite major differences between the two countries.
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‘We should strengthen communication,’ he said. ‘China and the United States are different in national condition, but through candid, in-depth, and continued dialogue, our two countries can understand each other better, seek common ground, while shelving differences and build up mutual trust.’
The press dispute complicated coverage of the visit after several major broadcasters declined to participate in the normal television pool in solidarity with the barred outlets.
Fox News, ABC, CBS and NBC were among the organizations that had joined the protest over access.
The White House Correspondents’ Association also condemned the original ban.
‘The president said it plainly in the Oval Office, describing his own planned action as a ‘ban on the free press,” Jacqui Heinrich, WHCA president, said in a statement.
‘The Constitution protects the freedom of the press from government interference. That protection does not depend on whether the president likes a news organization’s coverage, agrees with its reporting, or approves of the questions its journalists ask.’
The legal fight remains active, and Kelly ordered the administration to respond Thursday to allegations that reporters were still being blocked despite the court’s order.
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[ H/T Trending Politics ]
