The ongoing feud between Donald Trump and CNN reporter Jim Acosta finally reached a temporary conclusion today after a White House press conference that featured an angry, sullen Trump turned into a (completely false) allegation of assault against a female aide.
Federal Judge Timothy Kelly, a Trump-appointed judge, ruled that the White House immediately restore Acosta’s “hard pass,” and said that while no one has an absolute right to access to the White House, reporters have that right under the First Amendment once they’ve already been admitted.
Asked after the hearing what his plans were now, Acosta was grateful and energized.
CNBC reports that Acosta said:
‘I want to thank all of my colleagues in the press who supported us this week, and I want to thank the judge for the decision he made today…Let’s go back to work!’
Statement from CNN and @Acosta on today’s ruling: “We are gratified with this result and we look forward to a full resolution in the coming days. Our sincere thanks to all who have supported not just CNN, but a free, strong and independent American press.”
— CNN Communications (@CNNPR) November 16, 2018
In a statement by White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, she misrepresented the ruling entirely.
‘Today, the court made clear that there is no absolute First Amendment right to access the White House. In response to the court, we will temporarily reinstate the reporter’s hard pass. We will also further develop rules and processes to ensure fair and orderly press conferences in the future. There must be decorum at the White House.’
Like Trump during the press conference on the morning after the midterms, Sanders tried to convince reporters that the ruling was a win for the White House, but The Washington Post noted that “the judge actually said reporters have such rights once admitted.’
Trump is attacking the press.
Trump is attacking free speech.
Today, the free press and free speech won.
Thank you @CNN and thank you @Acosta. pic.twitter.com/YW6QUzHCxm
— Ryan Knight ?? (@ProudResister) November 16, 2018
The ruling was actually a win for CNN, Acosta, and the rights guaranteed under the First and Fifth Amendment.
‘Kelly granted CNN’s request for a temporary restraining order, ruling that the White House had violated Acosta’s due process. He ordered both parties to file a joint status report next week on how to proceed in the case.
‘CNN asked the judge to quickly rule on the request for a temporary restraining order, arguing that “every day that passes without Acosta regaining his press credentials is a concrete injury.”‘
President Trump believes in a free press and expects and welcomes tough questions of him and his Administration. We will, however, never tolerate a reporter placing his hands on a young woman just trying to do her job as a White House intern…
— Sarah Sanders (@PressSec) November 8, 2018
‘Judge Kelly said in court Friday that the claim Acosta “laid hands” on the staffer was “likely untrue.” The DOJ lawyers had declined to defend that statement in a prior court appearance Wednesday.’
Statement from CNN and @Acosta on today’s ruling: “We are gratified with this result and we look forward to a full resolution in the coming days. Our sincere thanks to all who have supported not just CNN, but a free, strong and independent American press.”
— CNN Communications (@CNNPR) November 16, 2018
Executive director of the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University, Jamal Jaffer, said that:
‘This is an important victory for press freedom. We need reporters to be able to ask tough questions in these press briefings without having to fear that their access will be revoked as a result. The First Amendment forecloses the White House from selectively revoking access on the basis of a reporter’s viewpoint.’
Featured image via Flickr by Gage Skidmore under a Creative Commons license