Major U.S. television networks resumed their pooled coverage of White House events on Friday, September 25, 2026. The resumption followed a protest by news organizations after the Trump administration blocked journalists from CNN, MS NOW, and Politico from accessing the presidential grounds.
President Donald Trump previously banned the three news outlets based on coverage he described as false or negative. On Thursday, September 24, a federal judge ordered the administration to immediately restore access, stating the ban was likely unconstitutional. Following the ruling, the White House told the court that access had been reinstated.
On Friday, the television press pool aired footage of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit, including his arrival for tea and a tour of the National Archives. Pool coverage is shared among ABC, CBS, CNN, Fox News, and NBC, who rotate the costs and responsibilities of filming the president. The other networks had refused to set up cameras earlier in the week in solidarity with the banned outlets. While access was restored, CNN and MS NOW reported that some of their journalists were again denied entry for the state dinner on Thursday evening.
The legal dispute affects the working access of journalists from CNN, MS NOW, and Politico and the broader White House press corps. By refusing to provide pool coverage during the ban, the five major networks halted the source of video footage for other news outlets that rely on the pool system. A federal judge’s order has for now guaranteed that these reporters can enter the White House complex to cover official events, though litigation continues regarding the administration's authority to select which outlets may attend.
The outcome of this case establishes a legal precedent for how the First Amendment and due process rights apply to presidential press credentials. The administration has asserted it has the right to manage grounds access.
Litigation remains active in federal court. While reporters were seen working at the White House on Friday, a lawyer representing the news outlets warned that the administration may attempt to revoke access again as the case moves forward. The White House has not issued a formal response to the latest resumption of coverage. Future coverage of events, including upcoming midterm election activities, remains subject to the ongoing court proceedings.