Federal judge grants preliminary injunction continuing to block Trump's media ban

A federal judge extended a court order on October 13, 2026, blocking the Trump administration from banning reporters from CNN, MS NOW, and Politico from accessing the White House. Judge Timothy Kelly ruled that the plaintiffs are "likely to succeed" in their claims that the ban violates both the First Amendment right to free press and due process under the Fifth Amendment. The judge found no credible evidence linking the bans to national security, instead noting President Trump's public statements suggesting he banned the outlets because of biased reporting. This decision maintains access for affected journalists until the lawsuit is resolved, though it does not guarantee entry into restricted areas like the Oval Office or Air Force One.