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Tuesday March 19, 2024

White House responds to CNN lawsuit against Trump

The White House press secretary Sarah Sanders claims CNN is “grandstanding” by suing. In a response to the suit on Tuesday morning, the administration said it will “vigorously defend” itself.

By Web Desk
November 14, 2018



WASHINGTON:  The White House on Tuesday issued a statement in response to the lawsuit filed by CNN against President Trump and several of his aides seeking the immediate restoration of its correspondent Jim Acosta's access to the White House.

As per details, CNN has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration after the White House suspended the credentials of Jim Acosta who is senior journalist of its . According to CNN, the lawsuit is a response to the White House's suspension of Acosta's press pass, known as a Secret Service "hard pass," last week.

The White House press secretary Sarah Sanders claims CNN is “grandstanding” by suing. In a response to the suit on Tuesday morning, the administration said it will “vigorously defend” itself.

“We have been advised that CNN has filed a complaint challenging the suspension of Jim Acosta’s hard pass. This is just more grandstanding from CNN, and we will vigorously defend against this lawsuit.

CNN, who has nearly 50 additional hard pass holders, and Mr. Acosta is no more or less special than any other media outlet or reporter with respect to the First Amendment. After Mr. Acosta asked the President two questions—each of which the President answered—he physically refused to surrender a White House microphone to an intern, so that other reporters might ask their questions. This was not the first time this reporter has inappropriately refused to yield to other reporters.

The White House cannot run an orderly and fair press conference when a reporter acts this way, which is neither appropriate nor professional. The First Amendment is not served when a single reporter, of more than 150 present, attempts to monopolize the floor. If there is no check on this type of behavior it impedes the ability of the President, the White House staff, and members of the media to conduct business.”

The suit was filed in US District Court in Washington, DC on Tuesday morning, names the president and other senior aides as defendants. It was docketed and assigned to Judge Timothy J. Kelly, a Trump appointee.

The suit alleges that Acosta and CNN's First and Fifth Amendment rights are being violated by the ban.

CNN chief White House correspondent, Jim Acosta, had his press "hard pass" revoked last week hours after he got into a testy exchange with Mr Trump.

The network alleges this violates its and Acosta's constitutional rights.

In the aftermath, the White House Correspondents' Association, which represents the press corps at the presidential residence, urged the administration to reverse the decision.

"We have asked this court for an immediate restraining order requiring the pass be returned to Jim, and will seek permanent relief as part of this process," CNN said in a statement.