Theodore J. Boutrous Jr. on Press Freedom

Public disputes concerning journalists' and news organizations' access to officials, government spaces and information, including credentials, press pools and official responses to coverage.

How we classify topics

Counts show individual statements. They do not assign an overall position.

Statement history

2 statements on this page. Dates: September 21, 2026 to September 24, 2026

2 matching statements. Dates: September 21, 2026 to September 24, 2026

2 published statements. Dates: September 21, 2026 to September 24, 2026

Condemned

2 published statements. Dates: September 21, 2026 to September 24, 2026

2 statements on this page. Dates: September 21, 2026 to September 24, 2026

Theodore J. Boutrous Jr.

Role at the time: Lead attorney for CNN, MS NOW and Politico, commenting on the court's ruling

September 24, 2026Condemned

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.”

Open sourceNBC News: Judge orders White House to restore access for CNN, MS NOW and Politico · NBC NewsNBC News, Sept. 24, 2026, 1:31 AM EDT (updated 6:14 AM EDT)

NBC News report on U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly's September 24, 2026 order granting a 14-day TRO in Cable News Network, Inc. v. Trump, restoring CNN, MS NOW and Politico's White House access; includes reaction from the outlets' lead attorney and notes no immediate White House comment.

Archived copy

Why we used this label

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.

Read statement Should President Trump bar CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House over their coverage?

Theodore J. Boutrous Jr.

Role at the time: Lead attorney for CNN, MS NOW and Politico, in a statement on the lawsuit

September 21, 2026Condemned

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.”

Open sourceNPR: CNN, MS NOW and Politico sue Trump after being barred from White HouseParagraphs quoting lead attorney Theodore J. Boutrous Jr. on the lawsuit.

NPR quotes Theodore J. Boutrous Jr., the lead attorney for CNN, MS NOW and Politico in their lawsuit against the Trump administration, saying the ban is intended to punish and intimidate the press and harms the public's right to coverage of the president.

Archived copy

Why we used this label

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.

Read statement Should President Trump bar CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House over their coverage?