CNN, MS NOW and Politico Sue Trump Administration Over White House Access Ban

CNN, MS NOW and Politico have filed a federal lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s decision to bar their journalists from the White House, setting up a significant legal dispute over press access and First Amendment protections.

The three US news organisations filed their lawsuit in federal court in Washington, D.C., on Monday, September 21, 2026, after their reporters were denied entry to the White House and their credentials were deactivated or confiscated.

The organisations argue that the decision was based on dissatisfaction with their reporting and amounts to unconstitutional discrimination against the press.

News Organisations Seek Emergency Court Order

CNN, MS NOW and Politico are asking the court for a temporary restraining order blocking the administration’s decision and allowing their journalists to regain White House access while the wider case proceeds.

A hearing on the request is scheduled for Wednesday, September 23.

The lawsuit argues that government officials cannot revoke journalists’ access solely because they object to the content of their reporting. The plaintiffs allege violations of constitutional protections covering freedom of speech, freedom of the press and due process.

Reporters Barred From White House

The dispute escalated after President Donald Trump announced on Friday that CNN, MS NOW and Politico would no longer be allowed White House access, accusing them of publishing false or misleading coverage.

On Saturday, CNN senior White House reporter Betsy Klein and MS NOW correspondent Akayla Gardner said they were turned away when they attempted to enter the White House.

Politico later confirmed that its White House reporter Cheyenne Haslett had also been denied entry and had her credential confiscated.

White House Defends Decision

The Trump administration has rejected the news organisations’ argument that the restrictions violate press freedom.

The White House said that while the First Amendment protects news organisations’ ability to publish, it does not automatically guarantee access to White House facilities, briefing-room seats or the presidential press pool.

Trump has also defended the move, saying his administration is targeting what he describes as “fake news” rather than attacking press freedom. He additionally claimed that such reporting represents a national-security threat, although Reuters reported that he did not provide evidence supporting that assertion.

Vice President JD Vance also defended the restrictions, arguing that the organisations remain free to report on the administration even without privileged access inside the White House.

Major TV Networks Suspend Presidential Pool Coverage

The dispute has also affected the White House television pool.

CNN is one of five major television organisations, alongside ABC, CBS, Fox News and NBC, that rotate responsibility for providing video coverage of presidential events to the wider media.

CNN had been scheduled to provide pool coverage during Trump’s trip to New York for the United Nations General Assembly, but was unable to do so after the ban.

The remaining television networks subsequently suspended presidential pool coverage rather than appointing another network to replace CNN.

The television pool system allows news organisations to share footage when physical access to the president is limited, ensuring that a wider range of media organisations can report on presidential activities.

Case Assigned to Judge Timothy Kelly

The lawsuit has been assigned to US District Judge Timothy J. Kelly, who was appointed to the federal bench by Trump in 2017.

Kelly previously handled a similar dispute involving CNN correspondent Jim Acosta in 2018. In that case, he granted CNN temporary relief that resulted in Acosta’s White House credentials being restored.

The current case will now test how constitutional protections covering press freedom apply to the administration’s authority to determine which journalists receive physical access to the White House.

The court’s immediate consideration will focus on whether CNN, MS NOW and Politico should have their access restored while the broader legal challenge continues.