Author: Stephen Johnson / Source: Big Think
- CNN reporter Jim Acosta’s press credentials were revoked following a heated exchange with President Donald Trump on November 8.
- The network filed a lawsuit against the administration on Tuesday, claiming the administration has violated multiple amendments.
- The White House may only revoke the press credentials of journalists for “compelling reasons,” not for reasons involving content.
CNN has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration for revoking the press credentials of Jim Acosta after a heated exchange between the reporter and the president.
During a November 8 White House press conference, Acosta challenged Trump about the migrant caravan and the Russia probe. Trump became irritated by Acosta’s challenge, calling him a “terrible person” and telling him to “just sit down.” A White House intern attempted to grab the microphone from Acosta, who initially refused to cede it. The administration revoked Acosta’s press badge, known as a Secret Service “hard pass”, later that day.
“The wrongful revocation of these credentials violates CNN and Acosta’s First Amendment rights of freedom of the press and their Fifth Amendment rights to due process,” CNN wrote in a statement.
CNN has requested Acosta’s credentials to be restored immediately.
In its lawsuit, CNN claims the administration violated the First Amendment by denying its reporter access to the White House, and violated the Fifth Amendment by denying due process in its decision to revoke Acosta’s credentials.
The lawsuit also claims the Secret Service made a final agency decision when it revoked the credentials without a hearing before a judge.The defendants named in the lawsuit are Trump, chief of staff John Kelly, press secretary Sarah Sanders, deputy chief of staff for communications Bill Shine, Secret Service director Randolph Alles, and the Secret Service officer who revoked Acosta’s hard pass.
Here is CNN’s lawsuit against Trump challenging the revocation of Jim Acosta’s credentials (isn’t up in PACER yet)… https://t.co/HOKkgJUQ5u
— Zoe Tillman (@ZoeTillman)
CNN Worldwide president Jeff Zucker said in an internal memo to staff that the White House’s move was “unprecedented” and that the decision to file the lawsuit was not made lightly.
Acosta wrote in a statement:
“I have always endeavored to conduct myself as a diligent but respectful reporter who asks probing but fair questions. The revocation of my White House press credential not only destroys my ability to perform…
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