US media outlets ask court to extend order restoring White House access

CNN, MS NOW and Politico have asked a federal judge to extend an order temporarily restoring their access to the White House, describing the Trump administration’s efforts to bar them as an “unlawful assault on the most fundamental First Amendment freedoms.”

Attorneys for the three news organisations submitted the request late September 28, arguing that actions taken by the administration to “retaliate” against the outlets even after the court ordered the White House to restore their access further demonstrate that the “motive is to punish and chill journalism they dislike," CNN reports. 

US District Judge Tim Kelly last week issued a temporary restraining order requiring the White House to reactivate press badges for journalists from the three outlets. The badges had been deactivated earlier in September, preventing the journalists from entering the White House grounds.

Kelly initially rejected White House arguments that national security concerns were behind President Donald Trump’s decision to bar the outlets. However, the judge indicated that he would consider additional evidence supporting the administration’s stated justification.

The news organisations argued that, while the administration has continued to cite national security concerns in court, Trump and other officials have publicly described the ban as a response to coverage they dislike.

“President Trump has continued to justify the ban on the ground that he dislikes Plaintiffs’ coverage of him and his administration without even mentioning national security,” the organisations said.

The outlets also cited a press appearance on September 27 by Attorney General Todd Blanche, who described the alleged national security risk as stemming from “one-sided media coverage” by certain outlets.

The Trump administration has until October 2 to respond to the latest filing, while the three organisations are expected to submit a final written brief by October 5.

Kelly said he would schedule a hearing and planned to rule “expeditiously.”

By Sabina Mammadli