Judge prepares to rule in CNN case

Lawyers for WASHINGTON —

President Donald Trump and news organizations issued dueling briefs and statements Wednesday as a federal judge in the District of Columbia prepared to rule on whether the White House overstepped its power in revoking CNN reporter Jim Acosta’s standing hard pass, which provides expedited access to the White House grounds.

The statements were preliminaries to CNN’s request for a temporary restraining order that would restore Acosta’s credentials, which the White House revoked last week following a contentious exchange with Trump at a news conference.

U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Kelly held a hearing late Wednesday afternoon on CNN’s motion for the restraining order. A decision is expected today. If he grants CNN’s motion, Acosta would be back at the White House pending the outcome of a trial on CNN’s lawsuit, filed on Monday. Such a trial would not be held for many weeks, and possibly months. Kelly is a Trump appointee.

CNN has asserted that Trump, his aides and the Secret Service violated Acosta’s First and Fifth Amendment rights by taking away his hard pass, which enables reporters to enter the White House grounds and cover events open to journalists.

The complaint also claims that administration officials had denied Acosta access to “daily passes,” effectively banning him from the White House grounds. The First Amendment guarantees freedom of speech; the Fifth ensures government actions follow due process.