CNN sues Donald Trump administration over White House Jim Acosta ban

Katy Clifton13 November 2018

American news broadcaster CNN has filed a lawsuit against the Trump Administration after its chief White House correspondent had his press pass suspended last week.

A furious row erupted on Wednesday after the White House barred journalist Jim Acosta and accused him of “placing his hands” on an intern during a tense exchange with President Donald Trump.

Mr Trump’s press secretary Sarah Sanders said Mr Acosta, who Mr Trump called a “terrible person” during the exchange, had been barred for “placing his hands on a young woman”.

The American news network, which hit back at the “fraudulent” allegations against Mr Acosta, has now filed a lawsuit against the Trump Administration in DC District Court.

In response, the White House brushed off the complaint as "grandstanding from CNN" and said it will "vigorously defend against this lawsuit" filed on Tuesday.

It claimed the incident on Wednesday "was not the first time [Mr Acosta] has inappropriately refused to yield to other reporters".

CNN's Jim Acosta and President Donald Trump (Photo: AFP/Getty Images) 
AFP/Getty Images

The White House statement made no further reference to the allegation that Mr Acosta placed his hands on an intern.

CNN has demanded the return of Mr Acosta’s credentials as CNN’s chief White House correspondent, claiming CNN's and Mr Acosta’s First and Fifth Amendment rights have been violated.

Both CNN and Mr Acosta are plaintiffs in the lawsuit.

Six defendants are named - Donald Trump, chief of staff John Kelly, press secretary Sarah Sanders, deputy chief of staff for communications Bill Shine, the director of the Secret Service and the Secret Service officer who took away Mr Acosta's pass away.

CNN said: “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.

“We have asked this court for an immediate restraining order requiring the pass to be returned to Jim, and will seek permanent relief as part of this process.

“While the suit is specific to CNN and Acosta, this could have happened to anyone.

"If left unchallenged, the actions of the White House would create a dangerous chilling effect for any journalist who covers our elected officials.”

Responding to the lawsuit, a statement from Ms Sanders said: "We have been advised that CNN has filed a complaint challenging the suspension of Jim Acosta's hard pass.

"This is just more grandstanding from CNN, and we will vigorously defend against this lawsuit.

"CNN, who has nearly 50 additional hard pass holders, and Mr Acosta is no more or less special than any other media outlet or reporter with respect to the First Amendment.

"After Mr Acosta asked the President two questions - each of which the President answered - he physically refused to surrender a White House microphone to an intern, so that other reporters might ask their questions.

"This was not the first time this reporter has inappropriately refused to yield to other reporters."

A White House intern tried to take the microphone from Mr Acosta
REUTERS

The statement continued: "The White House cannot run an orderly and fair press conference when a reporter acts this way, which is neither appropriate nor professional.

"The First Amendment is not served when a single reporter, of more than 150 present, attempts to monopolise the floor.

"If there is no check on this type of behaviour it impedes the ability of the President, the White House staff, and members of the media to conduct business."

Mr Acosta last week refused to give up a microphone when the president said he did not want to hear anything more from him during a press conference.

The reporter had asked about the investigation into possible Russian interference in the last US presidential election.

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