Post tiff with Trump, press credentials of CNN reporter suspended
What's the story
In an unprecedented move, the White House has suspended the press credentials of a CNN journalist terming his behavior as "disgusting and outrageous", hours after he engaged in a heated argument with President Donald Trump in a press-meet. Defending its correspondent Jim Acosta, the channel said the decision is "a threat to democracy". The White House, meanwhile, said it stands by its decision.
What happened?
White House intern tried to take microphone from Acosta
The move by the White House followed a heated exchange between Trump and Acosta, who refused the President's orders to sit down and persisted with questions about his views on a caravan of Central American migrants making its way to the US border. A visibly angry Trump said "that's enough!" while a White House intern unsuccessfully tried to take the microphone from the journalist.
Allegation
'Won't tolerate reporters placing hands on woman doing their job'
Describing Acosta's behavior as "disgusting and outrageous", the White House Press Secretary, Sarah Sanders, said yesterday in a statement that 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," she said.
Twitter Post
The White House Press Secretary criticizes CNN reporter's behavior
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
Twitter Post
Meanwhile, CNN lends "full support" to its chief WH correspondent
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
Twitter Post
Jim Acosta terms Sarah Sanders' allegations a lie
This is a lie. https://t.co/FastFfWych
— Jim Acosta (@Acosta) November 8, 2018
Criticism
Other presidents did not fear tough questioning, says NYT reporter
Peter Baker from The New York Times, who has been covering the White House for 22 years, said, "This is something I have never seen since I started covering the White House in 1996. Other presidents did not fear tough questioning." The White House Correspondents Association (WHCA) also said such decision is "unacceptable" and urged the White House that it "immediately reverse its decision".
Twitter Post
Reverse the weak and misguided action, says WHCA
WHCA statement on White House decision on credentials. pic.twitter.com/bukK7CGu2G
— WHCA (@whca) November 8, 2018
Information
White House maintains its stand
Meanwhile, the White House, said it stands by its decision of revoking "this individual's hard pass." "We will not tolerate the inappropriate behavior clearly documented in this video," Sanders said, posting a video of the CNN reporter allegedly placing his hand on a young woman.
Twitter Post
Here's the video Sarah Sanders posted on Twitter
We stand by our decision to revoke this individual’s hard pass. We will not tolerate the inappropriate behavior clearly documented in this video. pic.twitter.com/T8X1Ng912y
— Sarah Sanders (@PressSec) November 8, 2018