CNN’s Acosta gets press pass back permanently

White House team gives him his credentials, but warns they could easily take them again if he doesn’t follow ‘new’ rules

The White House backed down Monday from a contentious legal fight over Jim Acosta’s press pass, informing the CNN correspondent that his credentials have been fully restored.

Press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders and communications director Bill Shine made the announcement in a letter to Acosta, but warned him his credentials could be in jeopardy again if he violates a fresh set of “rules.”

“Should you refuse to follow these rules in the future, we will take action,” the two senior Trump administration officials said. “The President is aware of this decision and concurs.”

The rules state that journalists at White House news conferences will, if called upon, “ask a single question” and then yield the floor to other reporters, unless President Donald Trump or other administration officials specifically permit a followup question.

Contrary to what Monday’s letter states, the rules aren’t new. What is new, however, is the threat that press passes can be revoked as a consequence of violating them.

After the White House revoked Acosta’s credentials, CNN filed a federal lawsuit against the White House, contending the administration had violated Acosta’s Fifth Amendment rights. U.S. District Court Judge Timothy Kelly — appointed by Trump — sided with CNN.

“President Trump believes strongly in the First Amendment and interacts with the press in just such a way,” Sanders and Shine wrote in their letter.

The president is infamous for calling the media the “enemy of the people,” accusing them of being “fake” and even encouraging violence against reporters.

Acosta welcomed the latest development.

“Thanks to everybody for their support,” he tweeted.