US court blocks Trump administration's ban on major news outlets

A US federal judge has issued a preliminary injunction preventing the Trump administration from enforcing restrictions that would bar major news outlets from White House credentials and press briefings. The ruling came after CNN, MSNBC and Politico challenged the exclusions as unconstitutional.

The judge determined that the news organizations had demonstrated a likelihood of success in proving they were denied fair process before being excluded from White House access. The court found sufficient merit to the outlets' arguments that the administration's action violated their constitutional rights, warranting immediate judicial intervention to prevent irreparable harm.

The decision represents a significant legal setback for efforts to restrict press access at the White House. The ruling underscores judicial concern over the procedures used to implement the access restrictions, with the judge emphasizing that any such measures must follow established due process requirements.

The case highlights ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and segments of the news media. The preliminary injunction remains in effect pending further court proceedings, allowing the affected outlets to maintain their White House credentials while the broader constitutional questions proceed through the legal system.