The White House just pulled press credentials from CNN’s Jim Acosta after he engaged in a heated back-and-forth with Donald Trump.
White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders cited Acosta’s refusal to give up the microphone from a young staffer who tried to take it during a press conference on orders from Trump.
Sanders said in a statement the White House will “never tolerate a reporter placing his hands on a young woman just trying to do her job as a White House intern. This conduct is absolutely unacceptable.”
“As a result of today’s incident, the White House is suspending the hard pass of the reporter involved until further notice,” Sanders said.
Acosta said he was denied entrance to the White House.
I’ve just been denied entrance to the WH. Secret Service just informed me I cannot enter the WH grounds for my 8pm hit
— Jim Acosta (@Acosta) November 8, 2018 [1]
Earlier today, Acosta has a testy press conference clash with Trump.
During the heated exchange, Trump said this after ordering him to put down the mic: “I tell you what, CNN should be ashamed of itself having you working for them. You are a rude, terrible person, you shouldn’t be working for CNN.”
CNN fired back a statement afterward saying Trump has gone “too far.”
CNN’s response to @realDonaldTrump [2]’s press conference today: pic.twitter.com/tJ3nZDnYwO [3]
— CNN Communications (@CNNPR) November 7, 2018 [4]
Here is the altercation:
Here's the moment when an aide tried to grab the microphone from Jim Acosta. (via CSPAN) pic.twitter.com/HKaO9Y3uI3 [5]
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) November 7, 2018 [6]
Twitter is sickened:
Wow. @Acosta [7]’s credential suspended by WH after White House staffer attacked him and tried to grab the mic away.
— Karoli (@Karoli) November 8, 2018 [8]
This is a disgraceful and unacceptable attack on a free and independent press. The rest of the White House Press Corp should stand with their colleague @Acosta [7] and refused to participate in any briefing until this appalling decision is reversed. https://t.co/JLp58t7LcG [9]
— Susan Hennessey (@Susan_Hennessey) November 8, 2018 [10]
This is a complete lie. The woman grabbed Jim's arm repeatedly. He never once touched her. In fact at one point @Acosta [7] tells her politely "pardon me, mam" as she's yanking on his arm. https://t.co/Mfh3Ol5Q46 [11]
— Allie Malloy (@AlliemalCNN) November 8, 2018 [12]
WATCH:
The US Secret Service just asked for my credential to enter the WH. As I told the officer, I don’t blame him. I know he’s just doing his job. (Sorry this video is not rightside up) pic.twitter.com/juQeuj3B9R [13]
— Jim Acosta (@Acosta) November 8, 2018 [14]