CNN sues White House over revoked credentials of correspondent

WASHINGTON: CNN filed a lawsuit on Tuesday against the Trump administration over the revocation of press credentials for White House correspondent Jim Acosta, whose questions and reporting have been a frequent target of criticism by President Donald Trump.

“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.

“While the suit is specific to CNN and Acosta, this could have happened to anyone. If left unchallenged, the actions of the White House would create a dangerous chilling effect for any journalist who covers our elected officials.” the news network said in a statement.

CNN has filed the lawsuit against President Trump and several of his aides, seeking the immediate restoration of chief White House correspondent Jim Acosta’s access to the White House.

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 suit alleges that Acosta and CNN’s First and Fifth Amendment rights are being violated by the ban. The suit was filed in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday morning.

Read More: ‘You are a terrible person’ – Trump hits out at CNN reporter before banning his White House entry

In a harsh move, the White House, on November 8, had suspended the press pass of a CNN reporter who earlier sparred with Donald Trump at a news conference, in which the US president branded the journalist a “terrible person and enemy of the people.”

It all stated after the prominent journalist clung, Jim Acosta, to the microphone and persisted with questions about the president’s views on a caravan of Central American migrants making its way to the US border.