September 22, 2026 – Judge Kelly does not restore press passes for CNN, MS NOW and Politico; press credentials remain revoked – Update: Judge issues 14 day TRO

In Email/Dossier/Govt Corruption Investigations, Featured Timeline Entries by Katie Weddington

PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED IN COURT TODAY.

Judge Timothy Kelly (Credit: Wikipedia)

Judge Timothy Kelly did NOT automatically restore CNN, MS NOW, or Politico’s White House press passes. He heard the arguments, did not issue a ruling from the bench, and their credentials remain revoked for now.

That matters.

Because the DOJ’s argument was NOT simply that these reporters were rude to President Trump.

The administration accused these outlets of publishing sensitive or classified information and reporting that raised serious national security concerns.

And DOJ laid out specific examples.

🔴 CNN: Reporting about a “top secret” bunker beneath the East Wing ballroom and other coverage involving the Iran war.

🔴 MS NOW: Reporting involving the Iran war, U.S. military munitions, and an alleged leak investigation.

🔴 Politico: Reporting involving Secret Service security improvements connected to the ballroom, discussions over Russia sanctions, and a story based on anonymous sources about the Republican congressional midterm convention.

The administration argued that publishing sensitive information can create national security risks and force officials to determine whether information is classified and what consequences its disclosure could have.

DOJ also made a much broader legal argument: “Access to the White House is a privilege — not a right.” The government is asking the court to recognize broad presidential authority over White House press access and has even argued that the precedent governing White House press credentials should be overturned.

And after hearing all of this today, THE BADGES STAYED PULLED.

So no, this case is not simply about Trump being upset because reporters asked tough questions.

We’re talking about allegations involving classified information, national security, military operations, White House security, and the scope of presidential authority over press access.

Read the filings. Read what was actually argued in court.

DON’T LET THE HEADLINES REDUCE THIS CASE TO SOMETHING IT ISN’T. 👇

 

CABLE NEWS NETWORK, INC. et al v. TRUMP et al Document 1: Complaint 9/21/2026

CABLE NEWS NETWORK, INC. et al v. TRUMP et al Document 2: Temporary Restraining Order 9/21/2026

DEFENDANTS’ OPPOSITION TO
PLAINTIFFS’ MOTION FOR A TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER 9/22/2026

CABLE NEWS NETWORK, INC. et al v. TRUMP et al Document 13: Order 9/21/2026

TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER 9/24/2026

UPDATE 9/24/2026

BREAKING OVERNIGHT: A federal judge has hereby RESCINDED President Trump’s block on CNN, MSNOW and POLITICO accessing the White House

Trump SAW THIS COMING and already said he’d be appealing it when that decision was handed down

Looks like they will return TODAY unless they want to keep throwing a fit.

“The Judge’s name is Tim Kelly, and he was, sadly, appointed by “TRUMP.” In other words, almost without question and, as usual, we’ll go for appeal because Fake News people and publications that only write negatively, and who violate our National Security by writing false and defamatory stories with unknown “sources,” shouldn’t be allowed access to the most important Office anywhere in the World.”

Yes. U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Kelly granted a 14-day temporary restraining order early on September 24, 2026. (variety.com}

The order directed the White House to immediately return, reinstate, and restore the “hard pass” press credentials of CNN, MS NOW, and Politico employees that had been revoked around September 18. It remains in effect for 14 days (or until a further court order) while the lawsuit proceeds.
(politico.com)

Kelly, a Trump appointee, found the outlets were likely to succeed at least on their Fifth Amendment due-process claim because they received no notice or opportunity to be heard before the revocations. He was also skeptical of the administration’s later national-security rationale, noting that President Trump had publicly cited the outlets’ “lack of truthfulness and negativity.” (krdo.com)
(Grok, 9/25/2026)    TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER 9/24/2026