Politics
Court hearing on Trump media ban begins; MS NOW, CNN, Politico seek White House reinstatement
Key Points
A teleconference court hearing on President Donald Trump's controversial ban of three media outlets from the White House began Wednesday afternoon. Judge Timothy Kelly is considering a request by the outlets — MS NOW, CNN and Politico — to block Trump from continuing to bar them from the White House. The Justice Department, in a late Tuesday night filing, said Trump had barred the outlets on the grounds of national security concerns, and that the president had the legal right to do so.
A teleconference court hearing on President Donald Trump's controversial ban of three media outlets from the White House began Wednesday afternoon.
Judge Timothy Kelly is considering a request by the outlets — MS NOW, CNN and Politico — to block Trump from continuing to bar them from the White House.
The Justice Department, in a late Tuesday night filing, said Trump had barred the outlets on the grounds of national security concerns, and that the president had the legal right to do so. Trump did not cite that rationale when he announced the ban last Friday.
Kelly, who was appointed to U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., by Trump during his first term, could rule at any time.
Kelly in 2018 ruled against the White House when he ordered that it restore the access pass of then-CNN correspondent Jim Acosta, who had it revoked after a contentious exchange with Trump.
Trump said in announcing the ban on Friday accused them of "cumulative" stories that contained so-called "fake news" about him and his administration.
The ban took effect on Saturday, with journalists from the outlets having their access passes taken away by the Secret Service when they arrived at the White House.
The three outlets jointly sued Trump on Monday.
This is breaking news. Check back for updates.