WASHINGTON, Oct 14: A federal judge has extended an order preventing the Trump administration from barring reporters from CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House, as the legal battle between the US President and media organisations continues.
US District Judge Timothy Kelly ruled on Tuesday that the three news organisations were likely to succeed in their claims that the administration’s actions violated constitutional protections concerning free speech and due process.
However, Kelly cautioned that the ruling should not be interpreted as dismissing President Donald Trump’s concerns about accuracy and fairness in media coverage. He also noted that the government could take action to protect national security when classified information is unlawfully disclosed.
Kelly, who was nominated to the federal bench by Trump, had earlier directed the White House to restore the reporters’ “hard pass” press credentials while considering their legal challenge.
As the temporary order was nearing expiration, the judge issued a preliminary injunction to maintain the existing arrangements while the case proceeds through the courts.
