The War On News

A record of government actions against journalism and fact-based reporting, from the first press laws to today

Incident

CNN, MS NOW, Politico hard passes deactivated, 2026

United StatesRSF 2026 rank: 64th of 180

Engraving of an empty press briefing room with a lectern and rows of chairs

On September 18, 2026, the president of the United States, Donald Trump, announced that CNN, MS NOW and Politico would be banned from the White House. The White House is the president's office and residence in Washington, D.C. He made the announcement on Truth Social, a social media platform, and in the Oval Office, and described the outlets' coverage as "FICTION and LIES." On September 19, 2026, the outlets' reporters were denied entry at the White House gates after their hard passes, the standing credentials that let reporters enter the White House press area without applying each day, were deactivated. The outlets sued on September 21, 2026. A federal judge ordered the passes restored on September 24, 2026, and the reporters regained entry around noon that day. On September 25, 2026, White House guidance left CNN off the press pool on Air Force One, the presidential aircraft, for the next day's trip. On September 28, 2026, the outlets asked the court for a preliminary injunction. On September 30, 2026, the White House removed CNN from the press pool for the president's October 1 trip, according to NBC News. On October 1, 2026, the court set a hearing on the preliminary injunction motion for October 8, 2026. On October 2, 2026, the defendants filed their opposition to the preliminary injunction motion. On October 5, 2026, the plaintiffs filed their reply, and the White House did not allow Politico on Air Force One for its turn in the print pool, according to CNN. On October 8, 2026, the court heard the preliminary injunction motion and extended the temporary restraining order through October 13, 2026, according to CBS News. On October 10, 2026, the Justice Department said it was investigating whether the White House television pool's halt of coverage violated antitrust law, according to the Associated Press. On October 13, 2026, the court granted a preliminary injunction barring the administration from banning the outlets from the White House complex while the lawsuit proceeds; it does not cover the Oval Office or Air Force One, according to NBC News. On October 14, 2026, the defendants appealed the injunction to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, the federal appeals court in Washington, D.C., according to the district court docket. On October 19, 2026, CNN's outside counsel sent the United States Department of Justice a demand letter over CNN's exclusion from Air Force One and pool duties, according to CNN. On October 24, 2026, Trump said in a social media post that he may move the White House press corps to a different location, according to Reuters. On October 28, 2026, the outlets filed an amended complaint adding a request for a court order allowing their journalists into other areas, including the Oval Office and Air Force One, according to Bloomberg. On November 4, 2026, the outlets filed a further motion for a preliminary injunction; on November 5 the court set a hearing on it for December 2, 2026, according to court records. The case is pending as of 2026-11-07.1234567891011121314151617181920

What happened

On September 18, 2026, the president of the United States, Donald Trump, announced on Truth Social and during an appearance in the Oval Office, the president's office in the White House, that CNN, MS NOW and Politico would be banned from the White House. He cited accumulated coverage that he called "FICTION and LIES."2212223242526

The same day, the White House Correspondents' Association (WHCA), the organization of reporters who cover the president of the United States, then led by Jacqui Heinrich, said the Constitution's press protections "do not depend on whether the president likes a news organization's coverage."2212223242526

On September 19, 2026, the Secret Service, the United States federal agency responsible for protecting the president, turned away CNN's Betsy Klein, MS NOW's Akayla Gardner and Politico's Cheyenne Haslett at the White House gates. One of the reporters said she was told "they had to take my badge because it was disabled."2212223242526

On September 20, 2026, the other television networks in the White House press pool, the small rotating group of reporters who cover the president in spaces too small for the full press corps and share what they gather with other outlets, declined to fill CNN's rotating slot in solidarity, according to the Associated Press. News outlets then published explainers on how the White House press pool works.2212223242526

On September 24, 2026, after the order, Micah Stopperich, the White House director of press operations, said in a sworn declaration that the reporters' badges were restored starting at 7:10 a.m. Eastern time. According to The Washington Post, the reporters did not regain entry until around noon. The outlets' lead lawyer, Theodore J. Boutrous Jr., told the court in a filing that the defendants had "repeatedly violated the Court's Order." The same day, CNN and MS NOW said their journalists were denied access to the arrival ceremony for the state dinner for Xi Jinping, the leader of China.2742829

On September 25, 2026, the network television pool that shares White House video resumed with CNN taking part. That evening, White House guidance replaced CNN with Real America's Voice News on Air Force One, the presidential aircraft, for the president's September 26 trip to Knoxville, Tennessee. The court's order addressed hard passes and did not directly address pool duties or Air Force One; CNN's outside lawyer had said he believed the restored access included the White House pool.30531

On September 26, 2026, no network television pool traveled on Air Force One for the president's trip to Tennessee, according to a written pool report; Real America's Voice News, placed on the flight in CNN's place, said it would make its video available to other outlets. On September 27, 2026, Todd Blanche, the US Attorney General (head of the Justice Department), said in a television interview that it is a "privilege" for the press to be in the White House or to fly with the president. The same day, a network television camera crew filmed the president's public events again.323334

On September 28, 2026, CNN, MS NOW, Politico and three of their reporters filed a motion for a preliminary injunction, a court order that stays in force while a case continues. According to CNN, the temporary restraining order expires on October 8, 2026, and the preliminary injunction would keep the outlets' access in place while the lawsuit continues.135

On September 29, 2026, TIME, the US news magazine, reported that the major television networks were resuming their pool coverage of President Donald Trump that week, after suspending it following the White House ban on several outlets.36

On September 30, 2026, NBC News, the news division of the US broadcast network NBC, reported that the White House had removed CNN from the press pool, the small group of reporters who travel with and cover the president on behalf of all outlets, for President Trump's October 1 trip to Texas and Oklahoma. CNN had been designated to travel with the president.6

On September 30, 2026, the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, a US nonprofit that provides legal support to journalists, and 77 media organizations asked the court for leave to file an amicus brief, a written argument from parties not in the case. The motion was unopposed. On the same day Judge Timothy Kelly granted a request by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), a US civil liberties organization, and its District of Columbia affiliate to file an amicus brief supporting the outlets.37

On October 1, 2026, Judge Timothy Kelly ordered the parties to appear on October 8, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. in Courtroom 11 for a hearing on the outlets' motion for a preliminary injunction.7

On October 1, 2026, Judge Timothy Kelly granted the Society for the Rule of Law and Democracy, Inc., a US organization, leave to file an amicus brief.38

On October 2, 2026, the NAACP, a US civil rights organization, filed a consent motion for leave to file an amicus brief supporting the outlets' motion for a preliminary injunction.39

On October 2, 2026, the defendants (President Trump, Susan Wiles, Steven Cheung and Sean Curran, sued in their official capacities) filed their opposition to the preliminary injunction motion. The filing states that the President concluded the outlets had failed to maintain "standards of professionalism and decorum" including by "publishing sensitive or classified information," that the outlets did not respond to the White House letters by the September 25 deadline, and that the revocation of access became final at 5:00 p.m. on September 25, though temporarily enjoined. It argues that the outlets are unlikely to succeed on their First Amendment and due process claims and asks that any remedy be narrowly limited and stayed pending appeal.8

On October 2, 2026, Judge Timothy Kelly granted the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press and 77 media organizations leave to file an amicus brief, noting that the parties consent.40

On October 5, 2026, the plaintiffs (CNN, MS NOW, Politico and three reporters) filed their reply in support of the preliminary injunction motion (ECF 44, the court's docket number for the filing). The filing was submitted with a supplemental declaration of their lawyer Theodore J. Boutrous, Jr., an exhibit, and declarations of Julia Marsh, Sudeep Reddy and David Vigilante.9

On October 5, 2026, the White House did not allow Politico on Air Force One, the presidential aircraft, for the president's trip that day, so Politico could not carry out its turn in the print press pool, according to CNN. A White House spokesperson told CNN that "traveling with the President of the United States aboard Air Force One is a privilege not a right."10

On October 8, 2026, Judge Timothy Kelly of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, the federal trial court in Washington, D.C., heard argument on the outlets' motion for a preliminary injunction and did not rule from the bench. He extended the temporary restraining order through October 13, 2026, and said he would decide the motion by that date, according to CBS News.11

On October 10, 2026, a spokesperson for the United States Department of Justice said its Antitrust Division, the unit that enforces competition law, was investigating whether the White House television press pool's decision in September 2026 to halt coverage of the president violated antitrust law, according to the Associated Press. The Associated Press reported that the court's temporary restraining order remained in place until October 13, 2026, and that television pool coverage of the White House had resumed.12

On October 13, 2026, Judge Timothy Kelly of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, the federal trial court in Washington, D.C., granted CNN, MS NOW and Politico a preliminary injunction, a court order that stays in effect while a lawsuit continues. The order bars the administration from banning the three outlets from the White House complex. The administration had argued that the ban was imposed in part because of national security concerns. In his 26-page opinion, Kelly wrote: "There is practically nothing national security-related in the record connected to the President's decision to revoke Plaintiffs' hard passes to which the Court can defer." He found that the ban likely violated the reporters' free speech and due process rights, according to NBC News. The president said on Truth Social, before the ruling, that he would appeal.13

On October 14, 2026, the defendants (President Trump, Susan Wiles, Steven Cheung and Sean Curran, sued in their official capacities) filed a notice of interlocutory appeal (ECF 51, the court's docket number for the filing), an appeal taken before the case is finally decided, to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, the federal appeals court in Washington, D.C. The notice appeals the October 13, 2026 preliminary injunction order (ECF 49) and memorandum opinion (ECF 50). The appeals court docketed the appeal as No. 26-5356, according to the district court docket.14

On October 19, 2026, Theodore J. Boutrous Jr., outside counsel for CNN, sent a demand letter to the United States Department of Justice, the federal agency defending the case, according to CNN on October 20, 2026. The letter states that CNN has been left off the White House's list when it was next in the television pool rotation, including for the president's trip to Georgia and Florida the previous weekend, and that the White House gave "no written notice and offered no explanation." It asks the White House to confirm in writing by 5:00 p.m. Eastern on Thursday, October 22, 2026 that it has abandoned any policy of excluding CNN from the Oval Office and Air Force One, the presidential aircraft, and states that otherwise CNN "will be forced to pursue additional judicial relief." The Justice Department did not respond to CNN's request for comment on Tuesday morning, according to CNN.15

On October 24, 2026, President Trump said in a social media post that he may move the White House press corps from its current position in the White House, according to Reuters, the international news agency, in a report published by GV Wire. Reuters quoted the post: "I may move the Fake News to a less obnoxious location." In the same post Trump denied a report that he planned to remove the press briefing room and restore a swimming pool on the site, according to Reuters.16

The exclusion follows a 2025 dispute with the Associated Press (AP), the US news agency. In 2025 the White House barred AP journalists from some events and removed the agency from the press pool after it declined to change its style from "Gulf of Mexico" to "Gulf of America." After a federal judge ordered the AP's access restored in April 2025, the White House removed the wire service position from the daily press pool rotation, according to CNN. AP coverage of this case on September 25, 2026, cited the earlier dispute.4142

Status as of 2026-11-07: Enjoined. Challenged in Cable News Network, Inc. v. Trump, No. 1:26-cv-03287, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, the federal trial court in Washington, D.C. (filed 2026-09-21). On 2026-09-24 Judge Timothy Kelly granted a temporary restraining order requiring the White House to reinstate the outlets' hard passes, initially in effect until 2026-10-08. On 2026-09-28 the outlets moved for a preliminary injunction; on 2026-09-30 the ACLU was granted leave to file an amicus brief and the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press and 77 media organizations moved to file one. On 2026-10-01 the court set a hearing on the preliminary injunction motion for 2026-10-08. On 2026-10-02 the defendants filed their opposition and the court granted the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press and 77 media organizations leave to file an amicus brief. On 2026-10-05 the plaintiffs filed their reply. On 2026-10-08 the court heard the preliminary injunction motion, did not rule from the bench, and extended the temporary restraining order through 2026-10-13; the judge said he would decide the motion by that date. On 2026-10-13 Judge Kelly granted the preliminary injunction; it keeps the outlets' access to the White House complex in place until the lawsuit is resolved and does not cover the Oval Office or Air Force One. On 2026-10-14 the defendants filed a notice of interlocutory appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, the federal appeals court in Washington, D.C. (No. 26-5356). On 2026-10-19 CNN's outside counsel sent the Department of Justice a demand letter over CNN's exclusion from Air Force One and television pool duties, with a written-confirmation deadline of 2026-10-22 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern. On 2026-10-24 the president said in a social media post that he may move the White House press corps to a different location. On 2026-10-28 the plaintiffs filed an amended complaint adding a request for a court order allowing their journalists into other areas, including the Oval Office and Air Force One. On 2026-11-04 the plaintiffs filed a further motion for a preliminary injunction and asked for an expedited hearing. On 2026-11-05 the court set 2026-11-18 for the defendants' opposition, 2026-11-25 for the plaintiffs' reply and 2026-12-02 for a hearing on that motion. On 2026-11-06 the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press moved to file an amicus brief. The injunction remains in effect and the case is pending.326135377840911121314151617181920

What reason was given

Stated justification

In his announcement on September 18, 2026, Trump described the outlets' coverage as "FICTION and LIES." The same day he told a Bloomberg reporter, "I dislike dishonest press, like you. I think you're terrible." The White House has not identified a specific story that prompted the decision (as of 2026-09-22).25

What changed for reporting

From September 19 to September 24, 2026, reporters from CNN, MS NOW and Politico could not enter the White House grounds with their hard passes; they regained entry around noon on September 24, after the court order. On September 20, 2026, the other networks in the White House press pool declined to fill CNN's rotating slot. On September 25, 2026, CNN was left off the Air Force One pool for the next day's trip. On September 26, 2026, no network television pool traveled on Air Force One; on September 27 a network camera crew filmed the president's events again. On September 29, 2026, TIME reported that the network television pool was resuming coverage that week. On September 30, 2026, CNN was removed from the press pool for the president's October 1 trip to Texas and Oklahoma. On October 5, 2026, Politico was not allowed on Air Force One and could not carry out its print pool turn, according to CNN. On October 8, 2026, the court extended the temporary restraining order that restored the outlets' hard passes through October 13, 2026, according to CBS News. On October 10, 2026, the Justice Department said it was investigating whether the television pool's decision to halt coverage of the president violated antitrust law; the Associated Press reported that pool coverage of the White House had resumed. On October 13, 2026, the court granted a preliminary injunction that keeps the outlets' access to the White House complex in place until the lawsuit is resolved; it does not require the administration to give the outlets access to the Oval Office or Air Force One, according to NBC News. On October 14, 2026, the defendants appealed the injunction to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, the federal appeals court in Washington, D.C.; the injunction remained in effect (as of 2026-10-15), according to the district court docket.21453234366101112132614 On October 19, 2026, CNN's outside counsel wrote that CNN had been left off the White House's television pool list on several occasions, including for the president's trip to Georgia and Florida that weekend, and that the other networks had declined to fill in, according to CNN.15 On October 24, 2026, Trump said he may move the White House press corps from its current position in the White House, according to Reuters.16 On October 28, 2026, the outlets filed an amended complaint asking for a court order allowing their journalists into other areas, including the Oval Office and Air Force One, according to Bloomberg.17 On November 4, 2026, the outlets filed a further motion for a preliminary injunction, and the court set a hearing on it for December 2, 2026, according to court records.181920

Timeline

2026

18 September 2026
CNN, MS NOW, Politico hard passes deactivated, 2026
18 September 2026
Trump announces CNN, MS NOW and Politico will be banned from the White House claim (announcement)
19 September 2026
Secret Service deactivates the three outlets' hard passes; reporters denied entry claim (action)
19 September 2026
WHCA statement on the White House's position on CNN, MS NOW and Politico claim (statement)
20 September 2026
Other pool networks decline to fill CNN's vacated rotating pool slot claim (action)
21 September 2026
CNN, MS NOW and Politico file suit against Trump and the White House claim (filing)
22 September 2026
Trump administration files opposition to the outlets' motion for a temporary restraining order claim (filing)
23 September 2026
Hearing scheduled in Cable News Network, Inc. v. Trump claim (hearing)
24 September 2026
Judge Timothy Kelly grants a temporary restraining order; White House told to reinstate the three outlets' hard passes claim (ruling)
24 September 2026
Access restored after the order; CNN and MS NOW reporters denied entry to the state dinner arrival for Xi Jinping claim (action)
24 September 2026
Outlets tell the court the White House has repeatedly violated the order; reporters regain entry around noon claim (filing)
25 September 2026
White House guidance replaces CNN with Real America's Voice News on Air Force One for the September 26 trip to Tennessee claim (action)
25 September 2026
Network television pool resumes with CNN taking part claim (action)
26 September 2026
No television pool travels on Air Force One to Tennessee after CNN is left off; the other pool networks decline to take its place claim (action)
27 September 2026
Attorney General Todd Blanche says press access to the White House and Air Force One is a privilege claim (statement)
27 September 2026
Network television camera crew films the president's public events again, a day after no TV pool traveled claim (action)
28 September 2026
CNN, MS NOW, Politico and three reporters file a motion for a preliminary injunction claim (filing)
29 September 2026
TIME reports that the network television pool is resuming its coverage of the president claim (action)
30 September 2026
White House removes CNN from the press pool for the October 1 Texas and Oklahoma trip claim (action)
30 September 2026
Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press and 77 media organizations move to file an amicus brief claim (filing)
1 October 2026
Court sets the hearing on the preliminary injunction motion for October 8, 2026 claim (hearing)
1 October 2026
Judge grants the Society for the Rule of Law and Democracy leave to file an amicus brief claim (ruling)
2 October 2026
NAACP moves to file an amicus brief supporting the preliminary injunction motion claim (filing)
2 October 2026
Defendants file opposition to the preliminary injunction motion claim (filing)
2 October 2026
Judge grants Reporters Committee and 77 media organizations leave to file an amicus brief claim (ruling)
5 October 2026
Plaintiffs file reply in support of the preliminary injunction motion claim (filing)
5 October 2026
White House does not allow Politico on Air Force One for its print pool turn claim (action)
8 October 2026
Court hears preliminary injunction motion and extends temporary restraining order to 2026-10-13 claim (hearing)
10 October 2026
Justice Department says it is investigating whether the White House television pool's halt of coverage violated antitrust law claim (statement)
13 October 2026
Judge Timothy Kelly grants a preliminary injunction barring the administration from banning CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House complex while the lawsuit proceeds claim (ruling)
14 October 2026
Defendants file a notice of interlocutory appeal to the D.C. Circuit from the preliminary injunction order and opinion claim (filing)
19 October 2026
CNN's outside counsel sends the Justice Department a demand letter over CNN's exclusion from Air Force One and pool duties claim (statement)
24 October 2026
Trump says in a social media post he may move the White House press corps to a different location claim (statement)
28 October 2026
CNN, MS NOW and Politico file an amended complaint seeking access to the Oval Office and Air Force One claim (filing)
4 November 2026
Plaintiffs file a further motion for a preliminary injunction and request an expedited hearing claim (filing)
5 November 2026
Court sets briefing deadlines and a December 2, 2026 hearing on the further preliminary injunction motion claim (hearing)
6 November 2026
Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press moves to file an amicus brief on the further preliminary injunction motion claim (filing)

Who acted

NameRole in this incidentOffice at the time
Donald TrumpannouncedPresident of the United States
Jacqui HeinrichotherPresident, White House Correspondents' Association (2026)
White House Correspondents' AssociationotherProfessional association of accredited White House reporters
White House Press OfficeenforcedOffice of the White House Press Secretary

Outlets and journalists

NameKindRelation
CNNoutletaffected
MS NOWoutletaffected
Politicooutletaffected
Akayla Gardnerjournalist, MS NOWaffected
Betsy Kleinjournalist, CNNaffected
Cheyenne Haslettjournalist, Politicoaffected

Court cases

CaseCourtDocketStatusRelation
Sherrill v. KnightUnited States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuitdecidedprecedent cited
Cable News Network, Inc. v. TrumpU.S. District Court for the District of Columbia1:26-cv-03287pendingarising from

Sources

  1. Trump says CNN, MS NOW and Politico will be banned from the White House archived copyNPR, 2026-09-19, reporting. Source record
  2. Trump claims he will ban CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House archived copyCNN, 2026-09-18, reporting. Source record
  3. Statement on White House Position on CNN, MSNOW and Politico archived copyWhite House Correspondents' Association, 2026-09-18, reporting. Source record
  4. Trump banning CNN, MS NOW, Politico from White House archived copyABC News, 2026-09-19, reporting. Source record
  5. White House Turns Away CNN, MS NOW, Politico Reporters After Trump Announces Ban archived copyU.S. News & World Report, 2026-09-19, reporting. Source record
  6. 'A ban on the free press': White House bars journalists from three outlets archived copyAl Jazeera, 2026-09-19, reporting. Source record
  7. Other networks decline to fill CNN's White House pool slot archived copyCNN Business, 2026-09-20, reporting. Source record
  8. Did Biden cut off 440 reporters' credentials? PolitiFact rates a viral claim archived copyPolitiFact, 2026-09-21, reporting. Source record
  9. Major TV networks stand with CNN, decline to replace its White House pool crew archived copyAP (via ActionNewsNow), 2026-09-20, reporting. Source record
  10. Judge sets hearing in CNN, MS NOW, Politico lawsuit over Trump ban archived copyCentral Oregon Daily (AP), 2026-09-22, reporting. Source record
  11. News outlets will ask judge to end Trump's White House ban at hearingReuters, 2026-09-23, reporting. Source record
  12. Judge orders Trump administration to immediately reinstate White House access to CNN, MS NOW and PoliticoCNN (syndicated by KVIA), 2026-09-24, reporting. Source record
  13. CNN, MS NOW and Politico reporters have access restored to White House after judge orders ban liftedAssociated Press (via PBS News), 2026-09-24, reporting. Source record
  14. CNN left off Air Force One for Trump's upcoming trip, White House signals in new media restrictionAssociated Press (via NPR), 2026-09-26, reporting. Source record
  15. White House bars CNN from covering Trump on behalf of major TV networks as he travels to TennesseeCNN, 2026-09-25, reporting. Source record
  16. Some CNN, MS NOW journalists barred from state dinner event amid access fightThe Washington Post, 2026-09-24, reporting. Source record
  17. A White House Press Ban Was Lifted This Week. but the Tensions and Legal Battle Aren't Over YetAssociated Press (via U.S. News & World Report), 2026-09-25, reporting. Source record
  18. The Trump White House is axing the wire service spot from the coverage pool, the latest salvo in its battle with the APCNN, 2025-04-15, reporting. Source record
  19. CNN says it was left off Air Force One for Trump's Saturday trip to college football gameAssociated Press (via The Philadelphia Inquirer), 2026-09-26, reporting. Source record
  20. Press pool dispute escalates as White House cuts CNN from Air Force One travelNPR, 2026-09-26, reporting. Source record
  21. Blanche says president has right to restrict access to White House and Air Force OnePolitico, 2026-09-27, reporting. Source record
  22. Are the TV networks still covering Trump? It's complicated.The Washington Post, 2026-09-27, reporting. Source record
  23. Cable News Network, Inc. v. Trump, 1:26-cv-03287 (D.D.C.)CourtListener / Free Law Project, reporting. Source record
  24. CNN, MS NOW and Politico ask judge to stop Trump from reviving White House banCNN, 2026-09-28, reporting. Source record
  25. TV Networks Resume White House Pool Coverage, With a CaveatTIME, 2026-09-29, reporting. Source record
  26. White House removes CNN from press pool for Trump's upcoming trip to Texas and OklahomaNBC News, 2026-09-30, reporting. Source record

Claims and evidence

Each numbered claim quotes the source it rests on.

  1. On September 28, 2026, CNN, MS NOW, Politico and three of their reporters filed a motion for a preliminary injunction, a court order that stays in force while a case continues, in the US District Court for the District of Columbia, the federal trial court in Washington, according to the court docket.MOTION for Preliminary Injunction by CABLE NEWS NETWORK, INC., AKAYLA GARDNER, CHEYENNE HASLETT, BETSY KLEIN, MS NOW CABLE, LLC, POLITICO LLC.Cable News Network, Inc. v. Trump, 1:26-cv-03287 (D.D.C.), CourtListener / Free Law Project.Claim 989, checked 2026-09-29.
  2. Trump announced via Truth Social and at an Oval Office appearance that CNN, MS NOW and Politico would be banned from the White House.No, no, no, no. I dislike dishonest press, like you. I think you're terribleTrump says CNN, MS NOW and Politico will be banned from the White House archived copy, NPR, 2026-09-19.Claim 1, checked 2026-09-22.
  3. On September 24, 2026, Judge Timothy Kelly of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, a federal trial court, granted CNN, MS NOW and Politico a temporary restraining order, a short-term court order, requiring the White House to reinstate their reporters' hard passes. He found the passes had been revoked without "constitutionally adequate due process." The administration had said the outlets' reporting raised national security concerns. CNN is a plaintiff in the case and the source of this report.In the ruling issued early Thursday, Kelly found the revocation of reporters’ press badges was done without “constitutionally adequate due process.”Judge orders Trump administration to immediately reinstate White House access to CNN, MS NOW and Politico, CNN (syndicated by KVIA), 2026-09-24.Claim 734, checked 2026-09-24.
  4. According to The Washington Post, reporters from CNN, MS NOW and Politico did not regain entry to the White House until around noon on September 24, 2026, hours after the time given in the White House declaration.But that timeline does not comport with what happened: Reporters from the three outlets did not regain entry until around noon.Some CNN, MS NOW journalists barred from state dinner event amid access fight, The Washington Post, 2026-09-24.Claim 742, checked 2026-09-26.
  5. On the evening of September 25, 2026, White House guidance replaced CNN with Real America's Voice News, a US television network, in the press pool on Air Force One, the presidential aircraft, for President Donald Trump's September 26 trip to Knoxville, Tennessee.The White House signaled Friday night that CNN would be left off Air Force One for President Donald Trump's Saturday trip, the latest media restriction from the administration in an ongoing dispute with First Amendment implications.CNN left off Air Force One for Trump's upcoming trip, White House signals in new media restriction, Associated Press (via NPR), 2026-09-26.Claim 738, checked 2026-09-26.
  6. On September 30, 2026, NBC News, the news division of the US broadcast network NBC, reported that the White House had removed CNN from the press pool, the small group of reporters who travel with and cover the president on behalf of all outlets, for President Trump's October 1 trip to Texas and Oklahoma. CNN had been designated to travel with the president.The White House on Wednesday removed CNN from the press pool that’s set to cover a trip by President Donald Trump on Thursday, escalating a feud with the cable network after a federal judge blocked the administration’s push to restrict its media access.White House removes CNN from press pool for Trump's upcoming trip to Texas and Oklahoma, NBC News, 2026-09-30.Claim 992, checked 2026-10-01.
  7. On October 1, 2026, Judge Timothy Kelly ordered the parties to appear on October 8, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. in Courtroom 11 for a hearing on the outlets' motion for a preliminary injunction.ORDERED that the parties shall appear for a hearing on Plaintiffs' 32 Motion for Preliminary Injunction on October 8, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. in Courtroom 11.Cable News Network, Inc. v. Trump, 1:26-cv-03287 (D.D.C.), CourtListener / Free Law Project.Claim 995, checked 2026-10-02.
  8. On October 2, 2026, the defendants (President Trump, Susan Wiles, Steven Cheung and Sean Curran, sued in their official capacities) filed their opposition to the preliminary injunction motion. The filing states that the President concluded the outlets had failed to maintain "standards of professionalism and decorum" including by "publishing sensitive or classified information," that the outlets did not respond to the White House letters by the September 25 deadline, and that the revocation of access became final at 5:00 p.m. on September 25, though temporarily enjoined. It argues that the outlets are unlikely to succeed on their First Amendment and due process claims and asks that any remedy be narrowly limited and stayed pending appeal.Accordingly, at 5:00pm last Friday, the President’s preliminary decision to revoke Plaintiffs’ continued access to the White House, though temporarily enjoined from continuing in effect, became final.Cable News Network, Inc. v. Trump, 1:26-cv-03287 (D.D.C.), CourtListener / Free Law Project.Claim 998, checked 2026-10-03.
  9. On October 5, 2026, the plaintiffs (CNN, MS NOW, Politico and three reporters) filed their reply in support of the preliminary injunction motion (ECF 44, the court's docket number for the filing). The filing was submitted with a supplemental declaration of their lawyer Theodore J. Boutrous, Jr., an exhibit, and declarations of Julia Marsh, Sudeep Reddy and David Vigilante.REPLY to opposition to motion re 32 Motion for Preliminary Injunction,,,, filed by CABLE NEWS NETWORK, INC., AKAYLA GARDNER, CHEYENNE HASLETT, BETSY KLEIN, MS NOW CABLE, LLC, POLITICO LLC.Cable News Network, Inc. v. Trump, 1:26-cv-03287 (D.D.C.), CourtListener / Free Law Project.Claim 1000, checked 2026-10-06.
  10. On October 5, 2026, the White House did not allow Politico on Air Force One, the presidential aircraft, for the president's trip that day, so Politico could not carry out its turn in the print press pool, according to CNN. A White House spokesperson told CNN that "traveling with the President of the United States aboard Air Force One is a privilege not a right."The White House is refusing to allow Politico on Air Force One on Monday, which means the news organization cannot fulfill its press corps pool responsibilities.White House blocks Politico from Air Force One amid press access lawsuit, CNN, 2026-10-05.Claim 1001, checked 2026-10-07.
  11. On October 8, 2026, Judge Timothy Kelly of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, the federal trial court in Washington, D.C., heard argument on the outlets' motion for a preliminary injunction and did not rule from the bench. He extended the temporary restraining order through October 13, 2026, and said he would decide the motion by that date, according to CBS News.Kelly's temporary restraining order was set to expire Thursday, but will remain in place through Tuesday.Judge presses Justice Department on justifications for White House media ban, CBS News, 2026-10-08.Claim 1002, checked 2026-10-09.
  12. On October 10, 2026, a spokesperson for the United States Department of Justice said its Antitrust Division, the unit that enforces competition law, was investigating whether the White House television press pool's decision in September 2026 to halt coverage of the president violated antitrust law, according to the Associated Press. The Associated Press reported that the court's temporary restraining order remained in place until October 13, 2026, and that television pool coverage of the White House had resumed.The U.S. Department of Justice is investigating whether the decision of the White House television press pool to halt coverage of President Donald Trump last month violated antitrust law, an agency spokesperson said Saturday.DOJ says it's investigating whether White House TV pool's coverage halt violated antitrust law, Associated Press (via U.S. News & World Report), 2026-10-10.Claim 1003, checked 2026-10-11.
  13. On October 13, 2026, Judge Timothy Kelly of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, the federal trial court in Washington, D.C., granted CNN, MS NOW and Politico a preliminary injunction, a court order that stays in effect while a lawsuit continues. The order bars the administration from banning the three outlets from the White House complex. The administration had argued that the ban was imposed in part because of national security concerns. In his 26-page opinion, Kelly wrote: "There is practically nothing national security-related in the record connected to the President's decision to revoke Plaintiffs' hard passes to which the Court can defer." He found that the ban likely violated the reporters' free speech and due process rights, according to NBC News. The president said on Truth Social, before the ruling, that he would appeal.A federal judge issued an order late Tuesday blocking the Trump administration from banning CNN, Politico and MS NOW from the White House complex while the organizations’ lawsuit over access proceeds.Federal judge issues longer-term decision blocking Trump's White House media ban, NBC News, 2026-10-14.Claim 1004, checked 2026-10-14.
  14. On October 14, 2026, the defendants (President Trump, Susan Wiles, Steven Cheung and Sean Curran, sued in their official capacities) filed a notice of interlocutory appeal (ECF 51, the court's docket number for the filing), an appeal taken before the case is finally decided, to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, the federal appeals court in Washington, D.C. The notice appeals the October 13, 2026 preliminary injunction order (ECF 49) and memorandum opinion (ECF 50). The appeals court docketed the appeal as No. 26-5356, according to the district court docket.NOTICE OF INTERLOCUTORY APPEAL TO DC CIRCUIT COURT as to 49 Order on Motion for Preliminary Injunction, Set/Reset Deadlines, 50 Memorandum & Opinion by DONALD J. TRUMP, SEAN M. CURRAN, SUSAN WILES, STEVEN CHEUNG.Cable News Network, Inc. v. Trump, 1:26-cv-03287 (D.D.C.), CourtListener / Free Law Project.Claim 1006, checked 2026-10-15.
  15. On October 19, 2026, Theodore J. Boutrous Jr., outside counsel for CNN, sent a demand letter to the United States Department of Justice, the federal agency defending the case, according to CNN on October 20, 2026. The letter states that CNN has been left off the White House's list when it was next in the television pool rotation, including for the president's trip to Georgia and Florida the previous weekend, and that the White House gave "no written notice and offered no explanation." It asks the White House to confirm in writing by 5:00 p.m. Eastern on Thursday, October 22, 2026 that it has abandoned any policy of excluding CNN from the Oval Office and Air Force One, the presidential aircraft, and states that otherwise CNN "will be forced to pursue additional judicial relief." The Justice Department did not respond to CNN's request for comment on Tuesday morning, according to CNN.“These efforts to retaliate and discriminate against CNN based on the content of its news coverage are mistaken, counterproductive, and unlawful,” Ted Boutrous, outside counsel for CNN, wrote in a letter to the Justice Department on Monday.CNN warns Trump White House: Restore Air Force One access or face further legal action, CNN, 2026-10-20.Claim 1008, checked 2026-10-21.
  16. On October 24, 2026, President Trump said in a social media post that he may move the White House press corps from its current position in the White House, according to Reuters, the international news agency, in a report published by GV Wire. Reuters quoted the post: "I may move the Fake News to a less obnoxious location." In the same post Trump denied a report that he planned to remove the press briefing room and restore a swimming pool on the site, according to Reuters.US President Donald Trump confirmed on Saturday he may move the White House press corps to a different location.Trump Says He May Move White House Press Corps, Reuters (via GV Wire), 2026-10-24.Claim 1012, checked 2026-10-27.
  17. On October 28, 2026, CNN, MS NOW and Politico filed an amended complaint in Cable News Network, Inc. v. Trump, according to Bloomberg, the financial news service. The amended complaint adds a request for a court order allowing their journalists into other areas, including the Oval Office and Air Force One, two weeks after Judge Timothy J. Kelly ordered the administration to grant the outlets' journalists access to the White House while the lawsuit proceeds, according to Bloomberg.CNN, MS NOW and Politico have revised their lawsuit against the Trump administration over press access to the White House to include a request for a court order to allow their journalists into other areas, including the Oval Office and Air Force One.CNN Adds Air Force One Access to Suit Over Trump White House Ban, Bloomberg, 2026-10-28.Claim 1013, checked 2026-10-29.
  18. On November 4, 2026, CNN, MS NOW, Politico and the journalists Akayla Gardner, Cheyenne Haslett and Betsy Klein filed a further motion for a preliminary injunction, a court order that applies while a lawsuit proceeds, and asked for an expedited hearing under the court's local rule 65.1(d).MOTION for Preliminary Injunction (Expedited Hearing Requested Pursuant to LCvR 65.1(d)) by CABLE NEWS NETWORK, INC., AKAYLA GARDNER, CHEYENNE HASLETT, BETSY KLEIN, MS NOW CABLE, LLC, POLITICO LLC.Cable News Network, Inc. v. Trump, 1:26-cv-03287 (D.D.C.), CourtListener / Free Law Project.Claim 1014, checked 2026-11-07.
  19. On November 5, 2026, Judge Timothy J. Kelly granted the parties' joint motion for an extension of time and ordered the defendants to file their opposition to the further preliminary injunction motion by November 18, 2026, the plaintiffs to file any reply by November 25, 2026, and the parties to appear for a hearing on December 2, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.Defendants shall file their opposition to Plaintiffs' 55 Motion for Preliminary Injunction by November 18, 2026, and Plaintiffs shall file any reply by November 25, 2026. It is further ORDERED that the parties shall appear for a motion hearing on December 2, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. in Courtroom 11.Cable News Network, Inc. v. Trump, 1:26-cv-03287 (D.D.C.), CourtListener / Free Law Project.Claim 1015, checked 2026-11-07.
  20. On November 6, 2026, the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, a US legal support organization for journalists, filed an unopposed motion for leave to file an amicus brief, a filing by a party not in the case.Unopposed MOTION for Leave to File Amicus Brief by REPORTERS COMMITTEE FOR FREEDOM OF THE PRESS.Cable News Network, Inc. v. Trump, 1:26-cv-03287 (D.D.C.), CourtListener / Free Law Project.Claim 1016, checked 2026-11-07.
  21. CNN's, MS NOW's and Politico's White House hard passes were deactivated and their reporters turned away at the gates.they said they weren't sure what was going on, but at the end of the day they had to take my badge because it was disabled.Trump banning CNN, MS NOW, Politico from White House archived copy, ABC News, 2026-09-19.Claim 3, checked 2026-09-22.
  22. The White House Correspondents' Association said the Constitution's press protections apply regardless of the president's approval of coverage.The Constitution protects the freedom of the press from government interference.Statement on White House Position on CNN, MSNOW and Politico archived copy, White House Correspondents' Association, 2026-09-18.Claim 90, checked 2026-09-22.
  23. Other television networks declined to put a replacement pool crew in CNN's place after CNN's access was revoked.There will be no replacement pool put in place.Major TV networks stand with CNN, decline to replace its White House pool crew archived copy, AP (via ActionNewsNow), 2026-09-20.Claim 91, checked 2026-09-22.
  24. A federal judge set an initial hearing for September 23, 2026 in the lawsuit CNN, MS NOW and Politico filed against Trump.A federal judge set an initial court hearing for Wednesday, Sept. 23 in the lawsuit CNN, MS NOW and Politico filed against President Donald TrumpJudge sets hearing in CNN, MS NOW, Politico lawsuit over Trump ban archived copy, Central Oregon Daily (AP), 2026-09-22.Claim 92, checked 2026-09-22.
  25. Trump described the outlets' coverage as "FICTION and LIES" as his stated reason for the ban.FICTION and LIESTrump says CNN, MS NOW and Politico will be banned from the White House archived copy, NPR, 2026-09-19.Claim 106, checked 2026-09-22.
  26. The preliminary injunction granted on October 13, 2026 remains in effect. On October 14, 2026 the defendants appealed it to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, the federal appeals court in Washington, D.C.; the appeal is docketed as No. 26-5356. The docket showed no stay motion as of October 14, 2026, according to the district court docket.USCA Case Number 26-5356 for 51 Notice of Appeal to DC Circuit Court, filed by STEVEN CHEUNG, SEAN M. CURRAN, DONALD J. TRUMP, SUSAN WILES.Cable News Network, Inc. v. Trump, 1:26-cv-03287 (D.D.C.), CourtListener / Free Law Project.Claim 1007, checked 2026-10-15.
  27. In a sworn declaration, Micah Stopperich, the White House director of press operations, said the White House began restoring the reporters' badges at 7:10 a.m. Eastern time on September 24, 2026, and that the Secret Service said they were turned back on at 9:07 a.m.Stopperich attested that the White House began restoring badges at 7:10 a.m. Eastern time, and that the Secret Service told him badges were "turned back on" at 9:07 a.m.Some CNN, MS NOW journalists barred from state dinner event amid access fight, The Washington Post, 2026-09-24.Claim 741, checked 2026-09-26.
  28. In a court filing on September 24, 2026, Theodore J. Boutrous Jr., the outlets' lead lawyer, said the defendants had repeatedly violated the court's order."Defendants have already repeatedly violated the Court's Order," he said.Some CNN, MS NOW journalists barred from state dinner event amid access fight, The Washington Post, 2026-09-24.Claim 743, checked 2026-09-26.
  29. On September 24, 2026, after the court order, CNN, MS NOW and Politico journalists regained access to the White House grounds. CNN and MS NOW said the White House then denied their reporters access to the arrival ceremony for the state dinner for Xi Jinping, the leader of China. CNN reported that the White House allowed only its photojournalist and audio technician to attend.Though CNN and MS NOW were back on the White House grounds Thursday, both news outlets said their journalists were denied access to Xi's state dinner arrival.CNN, MS NOW and Politico reporters have access restored to White House after judge orders ban lifted, Associated Press (via PBS News), 2026-09-24.Claim 736, checked 2026-09-25.
  30. On September 25, 2026, the network television pool that shares White House video resumed with CNN taking part, as President Trump and Xi Jinping, the leader of China, visited the National Archives in Washington.But regular coverage resumed on Friday, with CNN serving as part of the pool as Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping visited the National Archives.White House bars CNN from covering Trump on behalf of major TV networks as he travels to Tennessee, CNN, 2026-09-25.Claim 739, checked 2026-09-26.
  31. CNN reported that its outside lawyer had said he believed the restoration of the outlets' access under the court order included the White House pool.The outside lawyer representing CNN had previously told anchor Jake Tapper he believed the restoration of the outlets' access included the White House pool.White House bars CNN from covering Trump on behalf of major TV networks as he travels to Tennessee, CNN, 2026-09-25.Claim 740, checked 2026-09-26.
  32. On September 26, 2026, no network television pool traveled on Air Force One, the presidential aircraft, for President Trump's trip to Tennessee, according to a written pool report. Real America's Voice News, a US television network placed on the flight in CNN's place, said it would make its video feeds available to other outlets.A written pool report Saturday morning confirmed there was "no TV pool" for the travel, though Real America's Voice celebrated its inclusion and said it would make feeds available to other outlets.CNN says it was left off Air Force One for Trump's Saturday trip to college football game, Associated Press (via The Philadelphia Inquirer), 2026-09-26.Claim 984, checked 2026-09-27.
  33. On September 27, 2026, Todd Blanche, the US Attorney General (head of the Justice Department), said in a television interview that it is a "privilege" for the press to be in the White House or to fly with the president, according to Politico, a US political news outlet.Attorney General Todd Blanche said repeatedly Sunday that it is a "privilege" for members of the press to be in the White House or fly with the president, a day after CNN was kept off Air Force One for President Donald Trump's trip to Tennessee.Blanche says president has right to restrict access to White House and Air Force One, Politico, 2026-09-27.Claim 987, checked 2026-09-28.
  34. On September 27, 2026, a network television camera crew filmed President Trump's public events again, according to The Washington Post, a US newspaper, a day after no television pool traveled with him on Air Force One, the presidential aircraft, to Tennessee.Despite the tension between Trump and the media outlets he's trying to ban, which include CNN, a network camera crew is once again filming his public events on Sunday.Are the TV networks still covering Trump? It's complicated., The Washington Post, 2026-09-27.Claim 988, checked 2026-09-28.
  35. According to CNN, the temporary restraining order issued on September 24, 2026 expires on October 8, and the outlets asked the court for a preliminary injunction that would keep their White House access in place while the lawsuit continues.The judge’s order expires on October 8, and the outlets are asking for a preliminary injunction, which would maintain their access while the lawsuit plays out in Washington DC’s federal court.CNN, MS NOW and Politico ask judge to stop Trump from reviving White House ban, CNN, 2026-09-28.Claim 990, checked 2026-09-29.
  36. On September 29, 2026, TIME, the US news magazine, reported that the major television networks were resuming their pool coverage of President Donald Trump that week, after suspending it following the White House ban on several outlets.Major TV networks are resuming their pool coverage of President Donald Trump this week after uniting to suspend it following Trump's move to ban multiple media outlets from the White House.TV Networks Resume White House Pool Coverage, With a Caveat, TIME, 2026-09-29.Claim 991, checked 2026-09-30.
  37. On September 30, 2026, the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, a US nonprofit that provides legal support to journalists, and 77 media organizations asked the court for leave to file an amicus brief, a written argument from parties not in the case. The motion was unopposed. On the same day Judge Timothy Kelly granted a request by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), a US civil liberties organization, and its District of Columbia affiliate to file an amicus brief supporting the outlets.Unopposed MOTION for Leave to File Amicus Brief of the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press and 77 Media Organizations by REPORTERS COMMITTEE FOR FREEDOM OF THE PRESS.Cable News Network, Inc. v. Trump, 1:26-cv-03287 (D.D.C.), CourtListener / Free Law Project.Claim 994, checked 2026-10-01.
  38. On October 1, 2026, Judge Timothy Kelly granted the Society for the Rule of Law and Democracy, Inc., a US organization, leave to file an amicus brief.it is hereby ORDERED that the Society for the Rule of Law's 37 Motion is GRANTED.Cable News Network, Inc. v. Trump, 1:26-cv-03287 (D.D.C.), CourtListener / Free Law Project.Claim 996, checked 2026-10-02.
  39. On October 2, 2026, the NAACP, a US civil rights organization, filed a consent motion for leave to file an amicus brief supporting the outlets' motion for a preliminary injunction.Consent MOTION for Leave to File Amicus Brief by NAACP.Cable News Network, Inc. v. Trump, 1:26-cv-03287 (D.D.C.), CourtListener / Free Law Project.Claim 997, checked 2026-10-02.
  40. On October 2, 2026, Judge Timothy Kelly granted the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press and 77 media organizations leave to file an amicus brief, noting that the parties consent.it is hereby ORDERED that the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press and 77 Media Organization's 40 Motion is GRANTED.Cable News Network, Inc. v. Trump, 1:26-cv-03287 (D.D.C.), CourtListener / Free Law Project.Claim 999, checked 2026-10-03.
  41. Associated Press coverage of the case on September 25, 2026, noted that in 2025 President Trump barred Associated Press journalists from some events and removed the news agency from the press pool after it declined to change its style from "Gulf of Mexico" to "Gulf of America."Last year, Trump barred Associated Press journalists from some events and kicked the news agency out of the press pool after it refused to accede to the president's demands to change its style from "Gulf of Mexico" to "Gulf of America."A White House Press Ban Was Lifted This Week. but the Tensions and Legal Battle Aren't Over Yet, Associated Press (via U.S. News & World Report), 2026-09-25.Claim 744, checked 2026-09-26.
  42. In April 2025, after a federal judge ordered the Associated Press's access restored, the White House removed the wire service position from the daily press pool rotation instead of restoring the AP to it, according to CNN.Instead of restoring access to The Associated Press newswire, as required by a federal judge, the Trump administration is removing the wire position in the daily press corps rotation altogether.The Trump White House is axing the wire service spot from the coverage pool, the latest salvo in its battle with the AP, CNN, 2025-04-15.Claim 745, checked 2026-09-26.