The White House said late Wednesday it has revoked press credentials for CNN reporter Jim Acosta, following a combative back and forth between Acosta and President Donald Trump at a press conference earlier in the day.
At one point, a female White House staffer tried to take the microphone away from Acosta, who said “pardon me, ma’am” as he held onto it while he attempted to ask Trump another question.
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 - NBC pic.twitter.com/sXwxLybYgx
— BNL NEWS (@BreakingNLive) November 7, 2018
“As a result of today’s incident, the White House is suspending the hard pass of the reporter involved until further notice,” White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said in a statement Wednesday night.
“We will . . . never tolerate a reporter placing his hands on a young woman just trying to do her job as a White House intern...” Sanders said. “This conduct is absolutely unacceptable. . . . 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.”
“This is a lie,” Acosta responded in a tweet. The above video appears to support him, as it does not appear that he placed his hands on the aide.
Revoking the “hard pass,” as it is known, effectively bans Acosta from the White House unless supervised.
Acosta found out when he was turned away by White House security Wednesday night before a scheduled live shot.
The US Secret Service just asked for my credential to enter the WH. As I told the officer, I don’t blame him. I know he’s just doing his job. (Sorry this video is not rightside up) pic.twitter.com/juQeuj3B9R
— Jim Acosta (@Acosta) November 8, 2018
“I’ve just been denied entrance to the WH,” Acosta tweeted. “Secret Service just informed me I cannot enter the WH grounds for my 8pm hit.”
Many journalists were quick to rally behind Acosta.
“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,” former CBS News anchor Dan Rather tweeted Wednesday night. Others agreed.
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 "hard pass" that WH reporters are used as a security tool for the WH. Reporters who are vetted are allowed access that most reporters don't have. Those passes are not designed as a tool to pick the reporters you like or punish those you don't. This is an abuse of power
— Joe Lockhart (@joelockhart) November 8, 2018
Wait till they realize that you can still report without a credential https://t.co/OqwDZEgzUH
— jimrutenberg (@jimrutenberg) November 8, 2018
This is a complete lie. The woman grabbed Jim's arm repeatedly. He never once touched her. In fact at one point @Acosta tells her politely "pardon me, mam" as she's yanking on his arm. https://t.co/Mfh3Ol5Q46
— Allie Malloy (@AlliemalCNN) November 8, 2018
This is the sort of thing that happens in other countries, not in a place where the First Amendment is literally freedom of the press https://t.co/EZMT4i6NcI
— Mike Rosenberg (@ByRosenberg) November 8, 2018
This is an absolute outrage. Hoping that his WH colleagues stand up for @Acosta. https://t.co/EJKFv24Xgq
— Sopan Deb (@SopanDeb) November 8, 2018
They also groove on the drama, and try to pit reporters against each other by doing this kind of thing. It has been a slippery slope for a long time and here we are. https://t.co/dtvW29BY2P
— Maggie Haberman (@maggieNYT) November 8, 2018
Trump berated Acosta for his questioning Wednesday, calling him “a rude, terrible person.” Later, Jeff Zucker, network president of AT&T T, +0.45% -owned CNN, told employees that the company stands behind them. “The work that you do is important,” he said, according to the Hollywood Reporter. “I want you to know that we have your backs.”
Here’s the full exchange between Trump and Acosta:
FULL EXCHANGE: Trump vs. @Acosta
"Put down the mic..."
"You are a rude, terrible person..." pic.twitter.com/hdnNGd2xLc
— Yahoo News (@YahooNews) November 7, 2018
