Washington DC - President Donald Trump's administration has asked a judge to allow the reinstatement of a ban that barred several news outlets from the White House.
On September 19, Trump had journalists with CNN, MS Now, and Politico banned from the White House and press pools after he accused them of sharing "fake news."
In response, the outlets filed a joint lawsuit asking for a temporary restraining order against the ban, which was granted by Judge Timothy Kelly, who ruled the ban "likely violated their constitutional due process rights."
In a filing submitted on Friday, the Department of Justice explained the ban was implemented because the outlets publish stories that "adversely affect national security, including publishing possibly classified or sensitive information."
The DOJ argued that US presidents have "long decided which journalists should receive privileged access," and Trump himself had determined the outlets had failed to meet standards of "professionalism" that are expected of reporters with the "privilege" of covering him.
The filing also echoed Trump administration officials who have refused to call the move a "ban," arguing, "The mere denial of special access is not an adverse action that would objectively chill" reporting on the White House.
With the restraining order set to expire on October 8, the three outlets asked the judge earlier this week to block Trump from being able issue any more bans in the future, arguing he will definitely "retaliate."