US President Donald Trump speaks to the press after addressing a campaign rally at Laughlin/Bullhead International Airport in Bullhead City, Arizona, on Oct. 14, 2026. (Credit: Kent Nishimura / AFP)
The Department of Justice said Wednesday it will appeal a federal judge's decision to block President Donald Trump's ban on CNN, MS NOW and Politico journalists accessing the White House.
Trump barred the three major U.S. news outlets last month for distributing what he called "fake news" — prompting them to file a joint lawsuit claiming the move violates free speech protections.
District Judge Timothy Kelly ruled Tuesday the Trump administration must restore the journalists' access while the lawsuit proceeds. The Department of Justice said in a court filing that it would appeal that decision.
Kelly said the outlets were "likely to succeed not only on their due process claim, but also on their two First Amendment claims."
The First Amendment upholds the right to a free press.
His ruling came as a court order that had temporarily restored the White House credentials of the journalists was set to expire Tuesday.
Trump has long attacked media that have aired critical coverage of him, repeatedly blasting the press as the "enemy of the people."
8 p.m. recap: Israel again threatens Beirut’s south suburbs; 2 ships hit near Hormuz; Riyadh football matches canceled