A federal judge in Washington, D.C., indicated he is skeptical of President Donald Trump’s decision to bar CNN, MS NOW and Politico from White House grounds. The judge’s comments were made during a hearing on the media organizations’ challenge to the administration’s ban.
President Trump announced the restriction earlier this year, directing that the three outlets be excluded from White House briefings and other on‑site events. The move sparked immediate criticism from press freedom advocates, who argued that the ban could limit the flow of information to the public.
During the hearing, the judge questioned whether the administration’s action aligns with constitutional protections for the press. While he stopped short of issuing a ruling, his expressed skepticism suggests the court will closely examine the legal basis for the exclusion.
CNN, MS NOW and Politico have filed a lawsuit seeking to restore their access, contending that the ban infringes on their First Amendment rights. The case now proceeds through the federal court system, where the judge will consider arguments from both the media outlets and the White House.
White House press access has long been a contested arena, with dozens of news organizations routinely covering the president’s activities. The outcome of this case could set a precedent for how future administrations manage relationships with the media.
<small>Source: CBS News — read the original story there.</small>
