The administration of US President Donald Trump has restored White House access for journalists from CNN, MS NOW and Politico.
Media representatives confirmed that their correspondents returned to work after a federal court decision that suspended the ban, Bloomberg reports.
White House Press Director Mika Stopperich said the administration began restoring journalists’ access on Thursday morning.
A US district judge ordered the White House to temporarily reinstate journalists’ access while the media companies’ lawsuit is considered. The order will remain in effect for two weeks. The judge noted that the media outlets had provided compelling evidence indicating a strong likelihood of success in the case, as the administration had violated procedural rules, constitutional freedoms and the public interest.
- Trump announced a ban on the three outlets on 18 September, citing their critical coverage of his activities.
- Afterwards, in official letters, the administration cited a threat to national security.
- The decision to bar journalists from entering was the latest step by the Trump administration to restrict press access to major events. Dozens of other media organisations, including Bloomberg News, Dow Jones and Reuters, backed their colleagues’ lawsuit and submitted a joint statement to the court.
- Meanwhile, Trump is asking federal courts to allow him to decide at his own discretion which media outlets receive access to the White House.