Well this is ironic. A judge that Trump appointed back in 2017 has ruled that the White House – at least temporarily – must give back Jim Acosta’s press pass while the case continues:
Judge just ruled in favor of @Acosta: Cnn TRO is granted and press pass must be restored
— ErikWemple (@ErikWemple) November 16, 2018
Here’s more:
BUZZFEED – A federal judge on Friday ordered the White House to reinstate CNN chief White House correspondent Jim Acosta’s full press credentials, which were revoked last week after a tense exchange between the reporter and President Donald Trump.
The ruling is a big win for the network in a case that represented a significant escalation of the bad blood between CNN and Trump, who has repeatedly and publicly singled out the network for criticism, calling it “fake news.”
US District Judge Timothy Kelly announced his decision before a packed courtroom Friday morning. He heard arguments Nov. 13, and originally said he’d reveal his decision in court the next day, but later delayed the hearing without explanation.
Kelly’s decision doesn’t automatically end the case. He ruled on CNN’s request for an immediate, temporary restraining order reinstating Acosta’s credentials while the litigation goes forward. Kelly will now set a schedule for briefing on CNN’s request for a more permanent ruling — a preliminary injunction — in the coming weeks.
In court on Thursday, Justice Department official James Burnham said that the president had complete discretion to decide what access reporters had to the White House. Kelly asked if the White House could revoke a reporter’s credentials because they didn’t like their coverage. Burnham said yes. Burnham said the president could exclude all reporters from the White House, and that would be within his lawful authority. Kelly asked if it mattered that the White House didn’t have standards in writing. Burnham said no.
Welp.
UPDATE:
Mark Levin calls the ruling ‘disgraceful’:
Another disgraceful court ruling https://t.co/mNHPRbdqn2
— Mark R. Levin (@marklevinshow) November 16, 2018