World

White House 'repeatedly violated' court order to restore press access, say media outlets

BBC World · 2026-09-24

AI SUMMARY

• What happened: Three U.S. media outlets—CNN, Politico, and MS NOW—filed a request for an emergency court hearing, claiming the White House violated a judge's order to restore their press access, with some journalists being denied entry and having credentials confiscated. • Why it matters: This situation highlights ongoing tensions between the media and the Trump administration regarding press freedoms and raises concerns about the implications for public access to information, especially during significant events like the upcoming visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping. • What to watch next: Monitor the White House's response to the court's ruling and the media's allegations, as well as any developments from the emergency court hearing that could further impact press access and coverage.

**Title: Media Outlets Accuse White House of Violating Court Order on Press Access**

**Date: 24 September 2026**

Three prominent U.S. media organizations have filed a request for an emergency court hearing, alleging that the White House has "repeatedly violated" a judge's order aimed at restoring their press access. This development arises amid ongoing tensions between the media and the Trump administration regarding press freedoms.

The media outlets involved—CNN, Politico, and MS NOW—reported that their journalists were denied entry to the White House on Thursday morning. Some reporters had their press credentials confiscated, while others were granted access, leading to confusion and frustration among the affected journalists.

The situation follows a ruling by Judge Timothy Kelly, who determined that President Donald Trump's ban on these media outlets should be temporarily lifted. The judge stated that the ban "likely violated their constitutional due process rights." Trump's administration had initially justified the ban by accusing the outlets of disseminating "fake news," although the White House later cited national security concerns as a reason for restricting access.

On the morning of the reported incidents, CNN's senior White House reporter, Betsy Klein, was among those denied entry. Despite this, a producer from CNN was allowed to enter the premises. Politico also confirmed that one of its reporters faced similar restrictions, with their press credentials being confiscated. MS NOW reported that its White House reporter, Laura Barrón-López, along with a producer, was barred from entering, while another producer from the same outlet was permitted access.

The White House has not yet commented on the ruling or the incidents that occurred on Thursday. Legal representatives for President Trump may pursue additional legal actions in response to the unfolding situation.

As the standoff continues, it is anticipated that the ongoing restrictions on press access could impact coverage of significant events, including the scheduled visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to the White House. This visit is part of a broader diplomatic engagement, and the absence of key media voices could limit the public's access to information regarding the discussions and outcomes of the meeting.

The request for an emergency court hearing underscores the escalating tensions between the Trump administration and the media, as well as the ongoing debate over press freedoms in the United States. As the situation develops, it remains to be seen how the White House will respond to the court's ruling and the media's allegations of access violations.

Source: BBC World
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