A judge has temporarily blocked President Donald Trump's White House ban on three news organizations, calling it likely unconstitutional and ordering their access be restored.

Trump announced a ban on reporters from CNN, MS NOW and Politico on Sept. 18, saying the outlets "constantly write or report fiction or lies" about his administration.

In response, the outlets filed a lawsuit against Trump and three of his top advisers in federal court on Monday, citing their First Amendment rights and demanding that access for their reporters be immediately restored.

In the complaint, the news outlets allege that Trump and the White House were retaliating against them for coverage they dislike. 

The Justice Department's response to the suit argued that the ban did not violate the First Amendment. "Access to the White House is a privilege — not a right," the filing said. The DOJ contends that Trump "has 'compelling interest' in enforcing minimum standards for bona fide journalists and safeguarding national security information."

However, U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly, a Trump appointee, blocked the ban for 14 days early on Thursday, describing it as likely unconstitutional and rejecting Trump's contention that it had been put in place on national security grounds.

The president indicated in a Truth Social post on Monday that he would appeal any ruling against him.

Trump's initial ban had prompted four major TV networks — ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox News — to refuse to participate in the White House pool, which is the rotating group of reporters, photographers and videographers that document the president's public events.