CNN sues Trump for banning White House reporter
Broadcaster demands return of star journalist’s credentials revoked after press conference fracas
CNN is suing Donald Trump, the US president, and senior members of his administration for revoking the press pass of one of its star reporters. Jim Acosta, the broadcaster’s chief White House correspondent, found his entry to the White House barred after a heated exchange with Mr Trump during a press conference last week.
The White House said it had revoked Mr Acosta’s pass because he placed his hands on a White House intern and later produced manipulated footage to justify the decision.
In a lawsuit filed in Washington DC’S district court yesterday, CNN demanded the “immediate” return of their journalist’s White House credentials. The court filing accused Mr Trump of violating CNN and Mr Acosta’s constitutional rights, which protect the freedom of the press and the right to due process.
“Without this credential, a daily White House correspondent like Acosta effectively cannot do his or her job,” it stated. Both Mr Acosta and CNN are listed as plaintiffs in the lawsuit, which targets five White House staff members and the president himself.
Separately, Melania Trump has publicly demanded one of the president’s senior national security officials be sacked, in an extraordinary move for a First Lady.
Mrs Trump is reported to have complained about Mira Ricardel, who currently serves as the deputy national security adviser, after her trip to Africa.
Stephanie Grisham said on behalf of Mrs Trump yesterday: “[Ms Ricardel] no longer deserves the honour of serving in this White House.”
The row between Mr Trump and Mr Acosta was captured live on national television last Wednesday. During the exchange, Mr Trump demanded that Mr Acosta yield the microphone and called him a “rude, terrible person” when he did not immediately comply.
Mr Acosta persisted with questions before an intern tried to remove the microphone from the journalist – an incident the Trump administration said was misconduct against the woman.
Hours later, Sarah Sanders, the White House press secretary, announced Mr Acosta’s hard pass had been suspended. Mrs Sanders then tweeted a video that she said backed up the decision – but experts claimed the footage was manipulated to make it appear that Mr Acosta had struck the intern.
“When the White House revoked the press pass, it is clear it was based on the content of the reporting,” said Ted Boutrous, the news channel’s counsel for the lawsuit.
Three of the president’s key staff – John Kelly, the White House chief of staff, Bill Shine, deputy chief of staff, and Mrs Sanders – are also named in the lawsuit. The two others are Joseph Clancy, the director of the secret service, and an unidentified agent.