News outlets seek longer court block on White House press ban

CNN, MS NOW and Politico asked a federal judge late Monday to issue a preliminary injunction preserving their White House access while they fight President Donald Trump’s attempt to ban them over coverage he dislikes.

U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly previously granted a 14-day temporary restraining order, finding the bans likely violated the outlets’ right to fair legal treatment. In their Sept. 21 lawsuit, the organizations argue the exclusions are unlawful viewpoint discrimination under the First Amendment. The Justice Department has said Trump acted lawfully after determining their reporting threatened national security by revealing classified information.

Trump said in a Sept. 18 social media post that he was banning the outlets for “reporting FAKE NEWS.” The dispute lands five weeks before the Nov. 3 midterm elections and amid a broader second-term clash with major news organizations, including separate defamation suits against other publishers. A longer injunction would keep reporters inside the White House complex while the constitutional claims proceed.