WASHINGTON — A federal judge in Washington, D.C., ordered the Trump administration to issue press passes to CNN, MS NOW and Politico on Thursday, 24 September 2026, reversing a ban imposed after the former president’s term. The ruling was issued in a lawsuit filed by the three outlets, which had been denied access to the White House since the end of the Trump administration.
Judge’s Order Restores Press Passes
The judge directed the White House to issue press passes to the outlets within 48 hours of the order. The decision was based on the First Amendment, which the judge said the administration had violated by denying access to media organizations that had been granted passes during the Trump administration.
Background of the Ban
After President Trump left office in January 2025, the White House announced that it would no longer issue press passes to outlets that had been denied access during his term. CNN, MS NOW and Politico were among the outlets that had been barred. The ban was challenged in federal court by the outlets, which argued that the denial of access was a violation of their constitutional rights.
Legal Proceedings
The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia in March 2026. The judge, who declined to name himself in the ruling, found that the White House had acted without a lawful basis and that the ban was an unconstitutional restriction on the press.
White House Response
Following the order, the White House issued press passes to CNN, MS NOW and Politico. The administration’s spokesperson said the passes were issued in compliance with the court’s directive. No statement was issued regarding the broader policy on press access.
Implications for Press Freedom
The ruling is the first time a federal judge has ordered the White House to restore access to outlets that had been banned by a former president. The decision reinforces the principle that the executive branch cannot arbitrarily restrict media access without a lawful justification.
Broader Context
Other outlets that were denied access during the Trump administration, such as The New York Times and The Washington Post, had already been granted passes by the current administration. The judge’s order clarifies that the ban on CNN, MS NOW and Politico was unlawful.
Current Status
As of the morning of 25 September 2026, CNN, MS NOW and Politico have been granted press passes and are scheduled to return to the White House for the first time since the ban was imposed. The White House has not announced any changes to its overall policy on press access.
Primary Sources & Official Records
- White House restores access to media outlets banned by Trump after judge’s order
- MS NOW, CNN and Politico regain White House access after judge orders press passes restore
- CNN, MS Now, and Politico allowed back into the White House after judge orders Trump admin
- Barred news outlets seek emergency hearing after White House continues to deny access – NB
