But within hours, another dispute erupted.
Several journalists said they were turned away when they attempted to enter the White House grounds. Lawyers representing CNN, MS NOW and Politico subsequently sought an emergency hearing, arguing that the administration had not yet complied with the judge’s directive.
CNN reported that some journalists had their credentials confiscated again while attempting to enter, while others were unable to gain access because their credentials had apparently not yet been restored in the security system.
The situation eventually changed later Thursday, with reporters from the three outlets being allowed back into the White House after the temporary standoff.
The legal battle began after Trump announced on Sept. 18 that CNN, MS NOW and Politico would no longer have access to the White House.
Trump accused the organizations of publishing what he called “fake news,” triggering an immediate confrontation between the administration and the three media companies.
The outlets responded by filing a federal lawsuit. They argued that the administration had retaliated against them because of their coverage and had removed their access without providing constitutionally required procedural protections.
Judge Kelly’s ruling did not resolve the entire case. Instead, the temporary order addressed the immediate question of whether the reporters’ credentials should remain revoked while the litigation proceeds.
Kelly concluded that the plaintiffs had demonstrated a likelihood of success, at least with respect to their Fifth Amendment due-process argument. He specifically focused on the abrupt revocation of the journalists’ credentials and the lack of an opportunity to challenge the decision beforehand.
The timing of the court battle made the confrontation even more consequential.
Trump was hosting Chinese President Xi Jinping and first lady Peng Liyuan at the White House for a high-profile state visit, creating one of the administration’s most closely watched diplomatic events.
Trump welcomed Xi while highlighting the relationship the two leaders have developed over the years.
He said: ‘We have spent time together all over the world.’
The president described those encounters as having helped establish a close personal relationship between the two leaders.
During those visits, Xi and Trump have ‘forged a friendship, a truly great friendship, actually.’
Trump also reflected positively on his earlier visit to Beijing, praising the welcome he received from the Chinese government.
He called it a ‘great privilege’ to visit Beijing earlier this year and said Xi provided ‘spectacular and very beautiful hospitality.’
Trump added that he and first lady Melania Trump ‘are honoured to host you’ in ‘the beautiful White House.’
Xi, meanwhile, emphasized the importance of keeping diplomatic channels open despite the significant differences separating Washington and Beijing.
‘We should strengthen communication,’ he said. ‘China and the United States are different in national condition, but through candid, in-depth, and continued dialogue, our two countries can understand each other better, seek common ground, while shelving differences and build up mutual trust.’
The continuing press dispute affected coverage of Xi’s arrival.
Several major television networks declined to participate in the traditional White House television pool in solidarity with the outlets that had been barred.
Fox News, ABC, CBS and NBC were among the networks involved in the protest over access, according to reporting surrounding the dispute. CNN had previously been part of the pool before the administration revoked its access.
The White House Correspondents’ Association also condemned the administration’s original decision.
WHCA President Jacqui Heinrich, a Fox News correspondent, argued that the dispute went beyond the individual news organizations involved.
‘The president said it plainly in the Oval Office, describing his own planned action as a ‘ban on the free press,” Jacqui Heinrich, WHCA president, said in a statement.
‘The Constitution protects the freedom of the press from government interference. That protection does not depend on whether the president likes a news organization’s coverage, agrees with its reporting, or approves of the questions its journalists ask.’
The Trump administration has defended its broader approach to the media and has disputed the characterization that its actions constitute an attack on the free press. Trump has repeatedly argued that his administration is targeting what he considers inaccurate or unfair reporting rather than legitimate journalism.
The judge’s temporary order, however, means the three organizations will have their White House access restored while the underlying legal battle continues.
For now, the confrontation has moved from a simple dispute over press credentials into a larger constitutional fight over the government’s authority to control access to the White House and the procedural protections owed to journalists who already possess official credentials.
Kelly has ordered the administration to address the allegations surrounding the attempted enforcement of the ban after his ruling.
That means Thursday’s dramatic confrontation may only be the opening chapter of a much larger legal battle.
The temporary restraining order expires after 14 days unless the court extends or modifies it, leaving the administration and the three news organizations to continue fighting over the constitutional questions at the heart of the case.
