What transpired between Jim Acosta and President Trump during today’s 87-minute press briefing was apparently the tipping point for the Trump administration because they have officially banned CNN’s chief White House correspondent from entering the White House grounds.
As a result of today’s incident, the White House is suspending the hard pass of the reporter involved until further notice.
— Sarah Sanders (@PressSec) November 8, 2018
Ten minutes earlier, Acosta tweeted:
I’ve just been denied entrance to the WH. Secret Service just informed me I cannot enter the WH grounds for my 8pm hit
— Jim Acosta (@Acosta) November 8, 2018
We reached out to CNN for comment on the measure taken by the White House, and were directed to the following statement:
Tonight the White House revoked @Acosta’s press pass. CNN’s response to @PressSec and @realDonaldTrump: pic.twitter.com/EY2iFLvP3P
— CNN Communications (@CNNPR) November 8, 2018
Why this move tonight?
White House press secretary Sarah Sanders says “the reporter” (Acosta) has been banned in part because of “placing his hands on a young woman just trying to do her job as a White House intern.”
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
At one point during the contentious back and forth between Acosta and Trump, an intern came towards Acosta. It appeared that she tried to grab the mic from him. Acosta struggled to keep it, and she moved away. The woman returned seconds later and he released the mic, which she then gave to NBC’s Peter Alexander.
The aforementioned NBC Newser defended Acosta before asking his own question, telling the president, “In Jim’s defense, I’ve traveled with him and he’s a very diligent reporter who busts his butt like the rest of us.”
This conduct is absolutely unacceptable. It is also completely disrespectful to the reporter’s colleagues not to allow them an opportunity to ask a question. President Trump has given the press more access than any President in history.
— Sarah Sanders (@PressSec) November 8, 2018
Contrary to CNN’s assertions there is no greater demonstration of the President’s support for a free press than the event he held today. Only they would attack the President for not supporting a free press in the midst of him taking 68 questions from 35 different reporters…
— Sarah Sanders (@PressSec) November 8, 2018
CNN had made a public statement made after the press conference was over:
This President’s ongoing attacks on the press have gone too far. They are not only dangerous, they are disturbingly un-American. While President Trump has made it clear he does not respect a free press, he has a sworn obligation to protect it. A free press is vital to democracy, and we stand behind Jim Acosta and his fellow journalists everywhere.
Sanders addressed that as well:
Contrary to CNN’s assertions there is no greater demonstration of the President’s support for a free press than the event he held today. Only they would attack the President for not supporting a free press in the midst of him taking 68 questions from 35 different reporters…
— Sarah Sanders (@PressSec) November 8, 2018
Sanders continued:
…over the course of 1.5 hours including several from the reporter in question. The fact that CNN is proud of the way their employee behaved is not only disgusting, it‘s an example of their outrageous disregard for everyone, including young women, who work in this Administration
— Sarah Sanders (@PressSec) November 8, 2018
A number of journalists are supporting Acosta:
Please watch this. @Acosta did not grab or put his hands on this young lady. https://t.co/u3BaluYL3H
— Yamiche Alcindor (@Yamiche) November 8, 2018
News the White House pulled Jim @Acosta’s credentials is not an attack on one journalist but all of the press. There should be complete solidarity. This is a moment for any Republican who says they believe in the Constitution to stand up.
— Dan Rather (@DanRather) November 8, 2018
I worked with Jim @Acosta during my years @CNN. He’s dogged and determined and a credit to his profession. His job is to hold power to account, not to be “nice” to the President or anyone else he covers.
— Ali Velshi (@AliVelshi) November 7, 2018
I was seated next to @Acosta at today’s press conference and did not witness him “placing his hands” on the young intern, as the White House alleges. He held on to the microphone as she reached for it. The @Reuters pictures below depict what happened accurately. pic.twitter.com/nO68Hf4eQM
— Jeff Mason (@jeffmason1) November 8, 2018
The @WhiteHouse has revoked Jim @Acosta’s press credentials for trying to ask the president a question? That’s the sort of thing that happens in #Iran not America. I shudder to think what could be next…
— Jason Rezaian (@jrezaian) November 8, 2018
As well as the WHCA:
WHCA statement on White House decision on credentials. pic.twitter.com/bukK7CGu2G
— WHCA (@whca) November 8, 2018