CNN, Politico and MS NOW asked a federal court on Monday to keep a temporary order in place that blocks the Trump administration from banning their journalists from White House press events, according to court filings.
The three outlets filed a joint motion seeking a preliminary injunction, arguing that the restrictions amount to unlawful retaliation for coverage the president dislikes. The order, if granted, would extend protections already in place while the lawsuit moves forward.
The dispute centers on the White House's decision to cut off press access to outlets it says do not meet its standards for coverage. The administration has defended the move as a matter of discretion over who gets credentials and access to the briefing room and other events.
Lawyers for the news organizations argue that punishing reporters over editorial decisions violates the First Amendment. They say the ban targets specific outlets based on the content of their reporting, not on any security or logistical concern.
"The government cannot use access to the president as a weapon against journalists who report stories it does not like," the outlets argued in their filing, according to court documents.
The case is one of several legal fights between the Trump administration and major news organizations over press freedom. Earlier this year, the Associated Press sued over a similar access dispute after it was blocked from certain White House events. A federal judge sided with the AP in that case, ordering the administration to restore access.
Press advocates say the pattern is broader than any single outlet. The White House Correspondents' Association has warned that restricting access based on coverage sets a precedent that could shrink the flow of information to the public.
The administration has argued in court that the president has broad authority to decide who attends events in spaces he controls, including the Oval Office and Air Force One. Government lawyers have said the press does not have a blanket right to access those venues.
U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden is overseeing the case. A ruling on the preliminary injunction could come in the coming weeks. If granted, the order would remain in effect until the case is resolved or a higher court intervenes.
The outcome could shape how far the White House can go in limiting access to outlets whose coverage it considers unfavorable. For now, the three outlets remain able to cover events while the court weighs their request.
