READ: CNN Lawsuit Against Trump Features Kellyanne’s Remarks on ‘Sped Up’ Video, Acosta Death Threats
CNN has sued the Trump Administration for revoking Jim Acosta‘s press pass, making public the network’s complaint to DC District Court — and there are some juicy tidbits in the filing
CNN’s lawsuit calls the banning of Acosta a violation of his constitutional rights protecting press freedom and due process. Politico’s Jason Schwartz and the Washington Post‘s Erik Wemple scoured through the network’s court documents and flagged some highlights that are quite pertinent to the current news cycle.
Several portions of the lawsuit called out the White House narrative that Acosta inappropriately treated a White House intern who tried to take away his microphone during a presser clash with Trump.
Shoutout if you had a Daily Caller reporter being cited in a lawsuit to defend Jim Acosta and CNN pic.twitter.com/2L4BZaD77n
— Jason Schwartz (@JasonSchwartz) November 13, 2018
Since Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders accused Acosta of roughhousing with a video she put out on Twitter, the lawsuit noted what Kellyanne Conway had to say about allegations the video was “doctored” in an interview with Fox’s Chris Wallace. Conway denied the video was deceptively altered, while admitting it was “sped up.”
Kellyanne Conway’s surprising admission that the video Sanders posted was sped up makes it into CNN’s lawsuit pic.twitter.com/Qqx0EaOqOJ
— Jason Schwartz (@JasonSchwartz) November 13, 2018
Here’s the portion of the lawsuit where Acosta gave his side to the story of the White House’s attempted confiscation of his microphone.
And in this passage of his declaration, @acosta sheds light on how he viewed the attempt by a White House intern to grab the mic at last week’s press conference. pic.twitter.com/RNYDJSndAU
— ErikWemple (@ErikWemple) November 13, 2018
In terms of how Acosta’s life has been affected by the Trump Administration’s attacks and the loss of his press pass, he said that White House is trying to send a message to journalists asking the president tough questions.
And here, @acosta riffs about White House motives in stripping him of his hard pass. pic.twitter.com/HlswYo8pbD
— ErikWemple (@ErikWemple) November 13, 2018
The lawsuit also has Acosta commenting the regular death threats he has received since covering the administration, and alleges the White House has rejected his applications for a day pass since his hard pass was revoked.
In his declaration in support of CNN’s suit against White House officials, @acosta claims that @realDonaldTrump rhetoric has had a direct impact on his life. pic.twitter.com/YEUvNKtLb9
— ErikWemple (@ErikWemple) November 13, 2018
Some have suggested @Acosta losing his hard pass wasn’t a big deal bc he could get daily passes. White House refused to answer Q’s from several reporters about whether it would issue. Answer was no. pic.twitter.com/Z4D1vANRzQ
— Jason Schwartz (@JasonSchwartz) November 13, 2018
For @realdonaldtrump visit to France, @acosta was denied access by White House but granted but duly credentialed by France, prompting CNN Wash Buro Chief Sam Feist to comment: pic.twitter.com/YQlF70bwuM
— ErikWemple (@ErikWemple) November 13, 2018
Read the full text of CNN’s lawsuit here.
[Image via screengrab]
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