Theodore J. Boutrous Jr. is a partner and global co-chair of litigation at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, known for high-profile First Amendment and media law cases.
Case
Trump announced a White House ban on CNN, MS NOW and Politico over their coverage. Read his original post, the outlets' responses and their accounts of reporters being refused entry.
Role at the time: Lead attorney for CNN, MS NOW and Politico, commenting on the court's ruling
Statement summary
After Judge Timothy Kelly granted a 14-day temporary restraining order restoring the outlets' White House access, Theodore Boutrous, the outlets' lead attorney, said the ruling vindicated freedom of the press, due process and the rule of law and thanked the court for acting quickly.
“This is a strong ruling vindicating freedom of the press, due process and the rule of law. We greatly appreciate the court's swift action.”
Boutrous, representing the outlets, again condemns the underlying ban by praising a ruling that found it likely unconstitutional and lacking due process, framing the court's action as a vindication of the outlets' position against the exclusion.
Role at the time: Lead attorney for CNN, MS NOW and Politico, in a statement on the lawsuit
Statement summary
Theodore J. Boutrous Jr., the lead attorney for CNN, MS NOW and Politico in their lawsuit against the Trump administration, said the ban is intended to punish and intimidate the press and harms the public's right to fact-based coverage of the president.
“The President has been explicit that this ban is intended to punish reporting he doesn't like and to intimidate journalists and news organizations covering him and his administration. This ban on the free press harms the American people, who are entitled to rigorous, fact-based coverage of the President of the United States.”
Boutrous, representing the outlets in litigation over that exclusion, directly condemns it as retaliatory and harmful to the public, not merely a dispute over characterization.
Statement dates: September 21, 2026 to September 24, 2026
Statement dates: September 21, 2026 to September 24, 2026
Statement dates: September 21, 2026 to September 24, 2026
