CNN Could Sue the White House Over the Ban of Jim Acosta

Prominent First Amendment lawyer Floyd Abrams went on CNN’s Reliable Sources on Sunday and told host Brian Stelter said that CNN could sue the White House for revoking Jim Acosta‘s access to covering the administration, and that the network might actually have a case.

“I think it’s a really strong lawsuit,” Abrams said. “I can understand CNN being reluctant to sue because the president keeps saying CNN is the enemy of me, and CNN might have reluctance to have a lawsuit titled ‘CNN vs. Donald Trump.’ That said, yes, I think they should sue.” Abrams said.

Acosta is banned from the White House “until further notice” because the administration is claiming that he put “his hands on a young woman just trying to do her job as a White House intern” during his contentious back-and-forth with the President during his post-midterms presser. (CNN has since called the accusation a lie)

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
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Here’s the video:

BREAKING: White House aide grabs and tries to physically remove a microphone from CNN Correspondent Jim Acosta during a contentious exchange with President Trump at a news conference. pic.twitter.com/Ml1OvlXpa9

— MSNBC (@MSNBC) November 7, 2018

Abrams said the White House will likely ban another reporter from covering the White House in the future, and that’s a big problem.

“So whether it’s CNN suing or the next company suing, someone is going to have to bring a lawsuit,” said Abrams. “And whoever does is going to win unless there’s some sort of reason.”

Abrams said if the White House claims that Acosta “choked or touched this woman — that’s a very good reason” to revoke his pass. But, “it seems to be untrue,” he said.

CNN has asked the White House to return Acosta’s hard pass, but hasn’t heard back.

Minutes earlier, former ABC News White House correspondent Sam Donaldson, who was well known for sparring with President Reagan while covering his administration, told Stelter that CNN had already contacted him to prep an affidavit.

Donaldson: I’m hope I’m not mistaken but it’s my understanding that CNN and Acosta have sued, that there will be a court hearing on Tuesday on this very matter we’ve been discussion about.

Stelter: Not that I know, not that I know of, though you may be ahead of me.

Donaldson: Well I know of it – I’ve been told that because I’ve been asked to give an affidavit which I have prepared be submitted to the court.

In regard to possible legal action, a CNN spokesperson told TVNewser: “No decisions have been made. We have reached out to the White House and gotten no response.”