White House media standoff hangs over Xi visit

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It’s Thursday. Congratulations to the Bad News Babes, who beat Team Congress Wednesday night in the Capitol press corps vs. lawmakers softball game. 

The Hill’s reporting intern Ryan Karlin was there for the action.

Programming note: We’re Claire Leibowitz and Abigail Walker, filling in for Cate today. Please send your tips, comments and story ideas to cleibowitz@thehill.com or awalker@thehill.com.

Judge rules in favor of media

Polling swings toward Democrats

Collins edges Jackson in Maine

Obama on government corruption

It looks like the White House will abide by this ruling:

Jose Luis Magana, Associated Press

The White House must immediately restore press access for CNN, MS NOW and Politico, a federal judge ruled early Thursday.

After being denied entry this morning, CNN and MS NOW are saying their reporters have regained White House access mid-morning.

ABC is the assigned TV pooler today. But Jeremy Barr of the Guardian had this update in the morning: “I am told they are in a bit of a stand-off with the White House staff and are refusing to go into any events until they have proof CNN is on campus.”

U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly ordered the White House to lift the ban following an emergency hearing Wednesday. In his ruling, Kelly cited a lack of due process regarding the president’s ban.

“Defendants do not dispute that Plaintiffs did not receive notice and an opportunity to be heard before their hard passes were revoked,” the federal judge, a Trump appointee, wrote.

What now? CNN, MS NOW, Politico asked Kelly this morning for an immediate hearing over White House noncompliance with his order, which is meant to last for two weeks.

The judge gave the Department of Justice until 12:30 this afternoon to reply.  

💬 Follow today’s live blog

Xi brought some goodies

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived yesterday for an anticipated state visit, with talks getting underway this afternoon on a range of topics.

He announced on Thursday that China will gift two pandas to the U.S. and is inviting 100,000 American students to study in China. The pandas will head to Zoo Atlanta in Atlanta, Ga.

“The hope of China-U.S. relationship lies in our people, and its future lies with the young,” he said.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Wednesday that the U.S. and China will extend their trade agreement until January, taking some of the urgency out of Trump-Xi talks........

© The Hill