WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 08: Lawyer for CNN, MS Now and Politico Ted Boutros leaves the E. Barrett Prettyman United States Court House on October 08, 2026 in Washington, DC. Judge Tim Kelly briefly extended CNN, MS Now and Politico's access to the White House until Tuesday while he considers a longer-term ruling. Finn Gomez/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Finn Gomez / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)
Trump appeals ruling protecting banned media access
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- The Trump administration formally appealed a federal ruling granting White House press access to CNN, MS NOW, and Politico
- Judge Timothy Kelly extended an order allowing affected reporters to retain credentials pending lawsuit resolution
- Trump revoked the outlets' press passes on September 18 before courts initially restored access on September 24
- Affected journalists remain barred from presidential travel pools and Air Force One events despite court orders
- Trump continues branding non-supportive news outlets "enemies of the people" over perceived bias
The administration of US President Donald Trump notified a federal judge on Wednesday that it has filed an appeal against a court ruling that allows journalists from news organizations deemed unwelcome by the White House to maintain official press access.
The legal filing follows a decision on Tuesday by US District Judge Timothy Kelly to extend indefinitely an order requiring the White House to restore credentials for journalists affiliated with CNN, MS NOW, and Politico.
The order ensures the outlets retain ground access while the underlying lawsuit challenging the ban moves through the judicial system.
Federal courts first ordered the administration to restore press passes for journalists from the three media organizations on September 24, six days after President Trump revoked their credentials amid accusations that the outlets were broadcasting and publishing "fake news".
Despite the court rulings directing the White House to grant site access, reporters from CNN, MS NOW, and Politico continue to face practical limitations on the grounds.
The journalists remain prohibited from attending select White House events and are barred from joining press pools traveling with the President, including aboard Air Force One.
The legal clash comes amid broader rhetoric from President Trump targeting news organizations that provide critical coverage of his administration's policies or do not support his political campaigns.
Trump has frequently criticized the outlets in public addresses and statements, repeatedly categorizing critical mainstream media organizations as "enemies of the people."
