US judge restores banned media outlets to the White House

The US President had accused the three media outlets of broadcasting "fake news, delusions, and lies." Trump was known for his frequent attacks on media outlets that do not support his election campaigns and criticize his administration's policies, labeling them as "enemies of the people."

Theodore Boutrous, who represents the media outlets in court, told AFP on Thursday that "this strong ruling is a victory for freedom of the press, respect for due process, and the rule of law," adding, "We appreciate the court acting quickly." In response to the measure, CNN, MSNBC, and Politico had filed a joint lawsuit seeking a temporary injunction against the decision, based on the First Amendment of the Constitution, which guarantees the principle of freedom of the press.

Judge Timothy Kelly found that withdrawing the credentials of these three media organizations without prior notice "likely violated their constitutional rights," according to the ruling.

Kelly wrote that the "general rule" confirms the necessity of "providing prior notice" to the targeted parties "and an opportunity to express their views before the government proceeds" in depriving them of a right guaranteed by the Constitution.

In a letter, the White House press office accused CNN of "promoting verifiable false lies regarding national security and other issues, and publishing sensitive or classified information."

Similar accusations were directed at MSNBC and Politico.

The letter pointed to reports concerning the war with Iran and Trump's plans to build a military bunker under a planned ballroom in the East Wing of the White House, placing them in the category of reports containing "top secret" details.

On Wednesday, lawyer Theodore Boutrous told the judge that Trump "did not mention anything about national security" in his post on the Truth Social website on Friday, in which he announced the ban on CNN, MSNBC, and Politico.

He added, "The idea of punishing journalists by the government simply for covering issues related to national security... issues that the government would prefer not to have reported... is completely contrary to the principles of the First Amendment of the Constitution."

For his part, Judge Kelly emphasized that "the court doubts that national security protection was the actual motive for the defendants' practices, or that withdrawing the plaintiffs' access passes contributed to protecting this security."

Reporters representing these organizations were barred from entering the White House grounds on Saturday and their passes were confiscated, in the latest confrontation in a years-long standoff between the 80-year-old Republican president and traditional US media outlets.

In a previous case involving CNN during Trump's first term, Judge Kelly had ordered the White House to temporarily restore access to the network's reporter after his pass was revoked. In a show of solidarity, the five largest US media networks announced on Monday that they had suspended joint coverage of the White House in solidarity with CNN.

ABC, CBS, CNN, Fox, and NBC said in a statement, "The public has a vital interest in accessing accurate and independent information about its government... No administration should restrict the work of a news organization because it objects to the way it covers them."

The White House Correspondents' Association and nearly 50 news organizations also filed a brief with the court calling for the lifting of the ban imposed on the three organizations.

On Tuesday, Donald Trump hinted at the possibility of banning CNN from covering his activities outside the White House as well.

Trump told reporters on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, "I was surprised that CNN is here to cover my news. You shouldn't be here."

On Monday evening, the White House launched a live streaming channel called "Trump TV," featuring "the best videos, key statements, and must-watch highlights, broadcast 24/7 and updated in real-time."

This new ban comes at a time when the Republican president is facing severe political difficulties, with the midterm congressional elections approaching on November 3.

Public dissatisfaction with Trump is growing against the backdrop of rising living costs in the United States and a significant jump in fuel prices, amid the ongoing war ignited by the US-Israeli attack on Iran, the outcomes of which have become more uncertain than ever.