WH Warns Acosta They’ll Strip Press Pass Again Once Restraining Order Expires

WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 16: CNN chief White House correspondent Jim Acosta (L) returns to the White House with CNN Washington bureau chief Sam Feist after Federal judge Timothy J. Kelly ordered the White House to r... WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 16: CNN chief White House correspondent Jim Acosta (L) returns to the White House with CNN Washington bureau chief Sam Feist after Federal judge Timothy J. Kelly ordered the White House to reinstate his press pass November 16, 2018 in Washington, DC. CNN has filed a lawsuit against the White House after Acosta's press pass was revoked after a dispute involving a news conference last week. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) MORE LESS
Start your day with TPM.
Sign up for the Morning Memo newsletter

After winning a temporary restraining order against the White House, forcing the administration to reinstate CNN’s Jim Acosta’s press credentials for two weeks, Acosta’s victory may be short-lived.

According to CNN, the White House sent Acosta a letter over the weekend warning the correspondent that his press pass would be suspended again after the restraining order expires.

CNN responded with a court filing and a statement on Sunday, condemning the White House for “continuing to violate the First and 5th Amendments of the Constitution.”

“These actions threaten all journalists and news organizations. Jim Acosta and CNN will continue to report the news about the White House and the President,” CNN said, according to the network’s Brian Stelter.

CNN filed a request for a status report on the restraining order and an emergency briefing, asking the court to yet-again intervene on the matter over White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ and Communications Director Bill Shine’s letter to Acosta. The letter indicated the White House had made the “preliminary decision” to suspend Acosta’s hard pass — more longterm than a daily press pass — despite the judge’s order.

On Friday, a judge issued a restraining order, requiring the White House to return Acosta’s press credentials “immediately.” A lawsuit that CNN brought against the White House over the whole ordeal is continuing.

Acosta’s press credentials were revoked after he and President Trump verbally sparred at a press conference this month. The White House initially claimed that Acosta had laid his hands on an intern who tried to take the microphone away from him while Trump attempted to move onto the next questioner. Acosta pulled the microphone away from the intern so he could continue speaking.

Read the CNN filing and the White House letter to Acosta, which is attached to the filing, below:

Latest News

Notable Replies

  1. the White House sent Acosta a letter on this weekend warning the correspondent that his press pass would be suspended again after the restraining order expires

    Trump knows his audience.

  2. Let the stupid games continue.

  3. Acosta pulled the microphone away from the intern so he could continue speaking.

    No. The intern attempted to pull the microphone away from Acosta so he could be silenced. A bit of a difference. Stop supporting their bullshit narrative.

  4. So the White House broadcasts its insecurities once again.

    Likewise, we learn of their plan to violate our Constitution “just because” –even before the first question is raised.

  5. Avatar for ryanwi ryanwi says:

    Sooner or later even Republicans should realize that Trump is simply incapable of understanding his role as President.

Continue the discussion at forums.talkingpointsmemo.com

43 more replies

Participants

Avatar for system1 Avatar for fgs Avatar for bikerdad Avatar for cervantes Avatar for crackerjack Avatar for tacoma Avatar for sickneffintired Avatar for ryanwi Avatar for lastroth Avatar for drf55 Avatar for pb Avatar for airportman Avatar for davedecker Avatar for jinnj Avatar for ennuithereyet Avatar for shakerosalt Avatar for michaelryerson Avatar for brian512 Avatar for katscherger Avatar for bashful Avatar for 10c Avatar for zillacop Avatar for yellowbeard Avatar for communistagronomist

Continue Discussion
Masthead Masthead
Founder & Editor-in-Chief:
Executive Editor:
Managing Editor:
Deputy Editor:
Editor at Large:
General Counsel:
Publisher:
Head of Product:
Director of Technology:
Associate Publisher:
Front End Developer:
Senior Designer: