DOMINANT ANGLE
Paris is measuring the gap between the court order that restored CNN, MS NOW and Politico's access to the White House and its non-application, just a few hours later, on the ground.
Dominant angle identified — does not reflect unanimity of this country’s media
KEY POINTS
- 01
Federal Judge Timothy Kelly ordered the immediate restoration of CNN, MS NOW, and Politico's credentials on Wednesday night, a ruling valid for fourteen days.
- 02
Thursday morning, despite the ruling, CNN journalist Betsy Klein and a photojournalist were "denied access at 6 am" without any reason being given, according to Le Monde.
- 03
Four major American networks, CBS, ABC, NBC, and Fox, suspended their participation in the White House pool in solidarity with CNN.
ANALYSIS
Paris, September 24, 2026. The French press first notes the discrepancy between a court decision and its implementation on the ground. On Wednesday night, federal judge Timothy Kelly, appointed by Donald Trump in 2017, ordered the White House to "immediately restore and return" the permanent press passes of CNN, MS NOW, and Politico, which were withdrawn on September 18. The judge ruled that the three news organizations had a good chance of demonstrating that their badges had been confiscated without the prior procedure guaranteed by the Constitution, recalling that "the 'general rule' is that individuals must be notified in advance and have the opportunity to be heard," according to the order consulted by AFP and cited by RFI. He dismissed the national security argument put forward by the administration, due to a lack of evidence, and deemed too vague the criterion of reprehensible coverage invoked in the letters sent to the three media outlets.
The order, valid for fourteen days, explicitly excludes Donald Trump from its scope but targets the officials of his administration and their agents. However, on Thursday morning, just a few hours after its publication, the three media outlets announced that their journalists had still been prevented from entering. According to Le Monde, CNN journalist Betsy Klein and a photographer were "denied access at 6 am" without "any reason being given," while a producer from the network was able to enter later using his press pass. At MS NOW, two out of three journalists had their passes confiscated. This refusal comes on the day Donald Trump received Xi Jinping at the White House.
French editorial offices recall the broader context: four major American networks, CBS, ABC, NBC, and Fox, had suspended their participation in the White House press pool in solidarity with CNN. Timothy Kelly is no stranger to the case: during Donald Trump's first term, he had already ordered the restoration of a CNN journalist's press pass in 2018. The lawyer for the three media outlets, Ted Boutrous, welcomed a decision that defends "press freedom, due process, and the rule of law."
SOURCES (4)
- BFMTVMEDIUM
