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CNN Calls Off Lawsuit, Declares Victory in Battle Over White House Press Pass

Nov 19, 2018  •  Post A Comment

CNN indicated it is calling off its lawsuit against the Trump White House over the revocation of CNN correspondent Jim Acosta’s press pass. The cable news channel sent out a tweet this afternoon announcing that the White House had “fully restored” the pass, noting that the move makes the lawsuit unnecessary.

Under a headline stating “White House backs down from legal fight,” CNN reported this afternoon that it had received a letter from White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders and Deputy Chief of Staff for Communications Bill Shine indicating the pass has been restored, with no mention of an expiration date. That was in contrast to a previous threat that the pass might be revoked at the end of this month.

The letter also contains what CNN calls “the general threat to take action against any reporter who flouts new ‘rules.'”

The letter, quoted by CNN, states: “Having received a formal reply from your counsel to our letter of November 16, we have made a final determination in this process: your hard pass is restored. Should you refuse to follow these rules in the future, we will take action in accordance with the rules set forth above. The President is aware of this decision and concurs.”

Today’s maneuvering followed a court ruling on the press pass late last week that went in favor of CNN.

“We look forward to continuing to cover the White House,” CNN said in its tweet announcing today’s White House action, which you can see below …

5 Comments

  1. To quote Fred Mertz this is “horse feathers.” CNN dropped the lawsuit because they knew this was a PR stunt and they would ultimately lose. Obama had previously ejected a reporter he didn’t like, other CNN reporters still had their access, and no one has a First Amendment “right” to a White House Press Pass, otherwise I’d be able to sue for one too.

  2. The judge in this case cited the Due Process clause of the Fifth Amendment, not the First, in ordering Acosta’s pass be restored. And as for a PR stunt, Acosta’s temporary removal was a shot at the press to praise Trump or risk ejection. Why else would they send a young woman instead of a male intern or security to “wrestle” the mic away?
    Of course, the punchline is the judge is a Trump appointee.
    Let freedom ring.

  3. I’ve looked at both comments and declare Mathius the winner in a landslide. No recount necessary.

  4. Actually, Marcy K. has more credibility. Obama scolded a reporter. His press pass credentials stayed. Trump is against freedom of the press which is very scary.

  5. Trump may be a lot of things, but he is not against freedom of the press. The press is his PR outlet. They broadcast his tweets to millions more people than would ever read them otherwise. They start almost every newscast with something about him so he is on the “front page” almost daily. His comments about MSNBC and CNN keep them talking about him all day. He is a big believer that it doesn’t matter what is said about me, just be sure to spell my name right.

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