Authored by Stacy Robinson via The Epoch Times,
A federal judge has extended his order forbidding President Donald Trump from excluding certain media outlets from accessing the White House.
U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly issued a memorandum opinion on Oct. 13 granting a preliminary injunction sought by CNN, MS NOW, and Politico to maintain the block on the president's press ban, finding that the plaintiffs were likely to succeed on their First Amendment discrimination claim.
Trump announced on social media last month that he was banning CNN, MS NOW, and Politico "as a result of their constant 'reporting' FAKE NEWS!"
After the outlets sued, Kelly ordered the White House to temporarily restore access on Sept. 24, ruling that the government likely violated their Fifth Amendment due process rights by abruptly taking away their press passes without notice or a hearing.
Attorney Theodore J. Boutrous Jr. told the court at an Oct. 8 hearing that Trump wanted to ban the outlets because of their viewpoints.
"He doesn't like scrutiny of his policies, he doesn't like the reporting, he wants more good press," he said.
Department of Justice Senior Counsel Michael Velchik pushed back, telling the court that Trump was more concerned with media outlets allegedly fabricating quotes, splicing together interviews, and using anonymous sources.
