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Following the story of Jim Acosta losing his press pass earlier this month due to his supposed actions during a press conference, the White House was forced to make changes to ensure the situation will not be repeated. On Nov. 16, 2018, the Trump administration was ordered to reinstate the press pass temporarily until the end of the month, yet they are still vowing to revoke it permanently once the month is over.
As a result of their persistence, CNN and Acosta have requested another hearing to proceed after the Thanksgiving holiday. Their stance is that the White House violated their First and Fifth Amendment rights. NBC News states that “The First Amendment protects the freedom of speech. The Fifth Amendment protects against deprivation of ‘life, liberty or property, without due process of the law’.”
The U.S. District Judge Kelly ruled in favor of the Fifth Amendment violation because Acosta’s pass was revoked without him being given a reason why and without being able to argue against the revocation. With this ruling, the Trump administration has moved to implement a code of conduct and take steps to provide CNN and Acosta with the explanation for his revoked press pass in a formal written letter.
The letter addressed to Acosta from Bill Shine, deputy chief of staff for communications, and Sarah Huckabee Sanders, White House press secretary, has been released from the ABC World News. Over the weekend the CNN’s legal team described the letter as an “attempt to provide retroactive due process.”
The White House letter list three main rules: one question per reporter, a follow-up question is at the discretion of the President or other White House officials, and a reporter must yield the floor by surrendering the microphone to the staff when asked. They end the list of rules by stating that failure to follow them will result in a suspension or revocation of the reporters’ press pass.
This letter was ended with a final determination to fully restore the hard pass in hopes that he will follow the rules provided to him. As of today, Nov. 19, 2018, Acosta can proceed as CNN’s chief White House correspondent as long as he remains respectful to the rules set by the Trump Administration.
Written By Monet’ Goode
Edited by Cathy Milne-Ware
NBC News: Jim Acosta and CNN’s legal battle with Trump is far from over. Here’s what happens next.
ABC World News: White House goes after Jim Acosta’s press pass again as CNN seeks hearing
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