[UPDATE] Judge extends block on White House ban of CNN, MS NOW and Politico through Tuesday
Kelly asked DOJ why its national-security reason differs from Trump's own: the outlets' coverage.
Judge Timothy Kelly, a Trump appointee, extended his order by two business days, through Tuesday. He pressed the Justice Department on why its national-security reason differs from the one Trump gave. He said he will likely rule on a longer-term order by then, outlets reported.
PREVIOUSLY
- Sept. 18 — Trump banned CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House, cutting off 78 credentialed journalists.
- Sept. 22–23 — The outlets sued Trump, chief of staff Susie Wiles and two advisers; five TV networks suspended pool coverage.
- Sept. 24–25 — Judge Kelly issued a 14-day restraining order, and the White House let the outlets' reporters back in.
- Sept. 27 — The White House left CNN off Air Force One, giving its seat to Real America's Voice.
- Sept. 28–30 — Attorney General Todd Blanche defended the ban; the outlets asked Kelly to keep it blocked until the case ends.
- Oct. 6 — The White House barred Politico, the assigned print pooler, from Air Force One on Trump's Nebraska trip.
From Thursday's hearing:
- Kelly called it 'unusual' that the decision maker gave reasons 'x and y' while the government now says 'it's z.'
- DOJ's Michael Velchik: 'certainly CNN has been on notice for years that the president is concerned.'
- Outlets' lawyer Ted Boutrous: losing a pass because Trump calls coverage false is 'a very, very dangerous, chilling doctrine.'