The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) joined an amicus brief authored by the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press (RCFP) in support of a lawsuit filed by CNN, MS NOW, and Politico against the Trump administration for banning the outlets’ access to the White House beginning September 19. A federal judge granted a temporary restraining order on September 24, requiring the White House to restore press credentials for two weeks.
The brief supports the outlets’ motion for a preliminary injunction to uphold access while the suit continues. Joined by 78 total organizations, the brief argues that the administration’s ban is illegal, unconstitutional, and reflects a broader pattern of presidential attempts to intimidate the press.
CPJ organized a joint statement of leading news organizations in response to the initial ban. Despite the restraining order, the White House has continued to exclude targeted journalists from traveling on Air Force One and attending some events. In 2025, CPJ sought to join another amicus brief in the case of the Associated Press, which was banned from the White House and continues to face restrictions as the case is ongoing.
Read a copy of the amicus brief here.