A US federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to temporarily restore White House access for journalists from CNN, MS NOW and Politico after ruling that their press credentials were revoked without constitutionally required due process.

In a ruling issued Thursday, Judge Timothy Kelly said the administration failed to give the news organisations adequate notice and an opportunity to challenge the decision before their White House hard passes were withdrawn.

Kelly also questioned the administration’s national security justification for the ban, noting that the record did not establish that the revocations were initially motivated by national security concerns.

Trump had announced the ban on the three outlets in a social media post, accusing them of “FAKE NEWS” and warning that other media organisations could face similar action.

The administration later argued in court that reports by the outlets had raised national security concerns and maintained that Trump had the authority to determine who could access the White House.

However, Kelly said the administration’s explanations were ambiguous and noted that the outlets had not been given a meaningful opportunity to respond before their credentials were revoked.

The judge also found that the media organisations were likely to suffer irreparable harm if the ban remained in place and that restoring their access was in the public interest.

The temporary restraining order will remain in effect for 14 days. During that period, the news organisations and the administration are expected to present further arguments and evidence before the court considers the matter more fully.

The case follows a similar 2018 dispute involving CNN correspondent Jim Acosta, which was also handled by Kelly.

Attorneys representing CNN, MS NOW and Politico welcomed Thursday’s ruling, describing it as a decision protecting press freedom, due process and the rule of law.