Court Hearing Begins Over Trump's Media Ban; MS NOW, CNN, Politico Seek Reinstatement
A teleconference court hearing commenced regarding President Donald Trump’s ban of three media outlets—MS NOW, CNN, and Politico—from White House access. Judge Timothy Kelly is evaluating a request by the outlets to block Trump from continuing the restriction. The Justice Department defended the president's action as based on national security concerns, though Trump had not cited this rationale when announcing the ban earlier in the week. The media outlets were barred after Trump accused them of publishing cumulative 'fake news' about him and his administration. Journalists from these organizations lost their White House access passes effective Saturday. The three outlets filed a joint lawsuit against Trump on Monday, seeking reinstatement to official coverage duties at the White House. Kelly, who was appointed by Trump in 2018, previously ruled against the administration when ordering CNN correspondent Jim Acosta’s press pass be restored after it was revoked following an altercation with the president. A ruling from Kelly could come at any time.
