A Court Keeps White House Access Open for 78 Reporters

A preliminary injunction takes over before the earlier order expires

The Associated Press reported that Kelly had first ordered the White House to restore the three outlets’ hard passes through a temporary order, which was due to expire Tuesday. The new preliminary injunction preserves that access while the lawsuit continues, covering 78 affected reporters.

The practical effect is immediate: the journalists can keep doing their jobs at the White House without waiting for a final judgment. Their access continues, and the case remains open.

The judge examined the reasons and process behind the revocations

Kelly found that the three outlets were likely to succeed on their free-speech and due-process claims. The Associated Press reported that the administration’s national-security rationale came after the fact and was not supported by the current record.

The ruling also drew a clear boundary. It did not dismiss concerns about accuracy and fairness in media coverage, or the government’s authority to protect national security when classified information is unlawfully disclosed. A more careful reading is that the judge is assessing whether the reasons and process for revoking the passes can support that action.

The protection remains tied to three news organizations

What is established so far is that the injunction keeps the affected reporters from CNN, MS NOW, and Politico credentialed. Its scope is tied to the organizations and people involved in this case; it does not establish a new White House access rule for the entire press corps.

The next question is whether the administration submits new evidence or asks the court to modify the injunction. For now, the order protects the status quo during litigation; it does not resolve the case on the merits.

Sources consulted for this article

The Associated Press, “Judge extends order blocking Trump from banning CNN, MS NOW and Politico reporters from White House” (published Oct. 14, 2026, at 03:09:54 UTC).