Popular international broadcaster, Cable News Network, CNN, has filed a lawsuit in a U.S District Court, against the United States President, Donald Trump, and some top White House Aides for barring Jim Acosta, its correspondent.
The suit is seeking the immediate restoration of Acosta’s access to the White House.
“The wrongful revocation of these credentials violates CNN and Acosta’s First Amendment rights of freedom of the press, and their Fifth Amendment rights to due process,” the news network said in a statement announcing the lawsuit.
“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,” the network said. “If left unchallenged, the actions of the White House would create a dangerous chilling effect for any journalist who covers our elected officials.”
Trump had clashed with Acosta during a news conference last week. Acosta questioned Trump about the migrant caravan travelling through Mexico and about an ongoing investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election.
“That’s enough, that’s enough,” Trump said, as a White House intern attempted to take the microphone off Acosta. “You are a rude, terrible person.”
The White House suspended his credentials later that day, with press secretary Sarah Sanders accusing Acosta of putting his hands on the intern who was trying to take the microphone from him. She called his behaviour “absolutely unacceptable.”
Video of the encounter showed Acosta pulling back as the intern moved to take the microphone. He called the White House accusations a lie.
