Judge Rules CNN’s Jim Acosta Must be Granted Previous Press Credentials
On Friday, a federal judge ruled that the White House needs to restore the previous press credentials of Jim Acosta, a correspondent from CNN, becoming a major win for news organizations and journalists alike. , Acosta’s press pass was revoked earlier this month after a heated exchange at a news conference with President Donald Trump.
Judge Timothy Kelly, who is a Trump appointee, stated that the White House had violated Acosta’s Fifth Amendment right to due process by suspending his press badge without explanation or any appeal from CNN, whereas earlier in the week, CNN and Acosta filed an emergency motion to have Acosta’s press pass immediately reinstated.
According to CNBC, Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders stated “Today, the court made clear that there is no absolute First Amendment right to access the White House. In response to the court, we will temporarily reinstate the reporter’s hard pass. We will also further develop rules and processes to ensure fair and orderly press conferences in the future,” Sanders said. “There must be decorum at the White House.”
CNN released a statement via Twitter, and there has been an outpouring of support from other media organizations and the ACLU.
Statement from CNN and @Acosta on today’s ruling: “We are gratified with this result and we look forward to a full resolution in the coming days. Our sincere thanks to all who have supported not just CNN, but a free, strong and independent American press.”
— CNN Communications (@CNNPR) November 16, 2018
The freedom of the press is a bedrock principle, and our democracy is strengthened when journalists challenge our leaders rather than defer to them.
— ACLU (@ACLU) November 16, 2018
A federal judge ruled in favor of CNN reporter Jim Acosta, a frequent Donald Trump critic who had his security pass revoked after a contentious news conference.
The White House was ordered to immediately reinstate it after a CNN lawsuit—backed by other networks such as Fox News pic.twitter.com/rqnRMWWdQL
— POLITICO (@politico) November 16, 2018
This ruling is a victory for press freedom & the rule of law. Let this be a message to President Trump: intimidating, berating, & threatening the press will not be tolerated in our country. https://t.co/vfoR1KRTVj
— Richard Blumenthal (@SenBlumenthal) November 16, 2018
