White House restores access for CNN scribe

Washington, November 20 

Though the White House lost the legal fight with the CNN over the suspension of the press credentials of its journalist Jim Acosta, it has used the opportunity to rein-in the media from raising more than one question to President Donald Trump or senior officials at future press conferences.

The White House on Monday restored the press credentials of CNN’s chief White House correspondent Acosta, less than two weeks after withdrawing them over a testy exchange with President Trump during a news conference on November 7.

The Trump administration’s decision came after a judge ordered that Acosta could continue reporting at the White House. Following the decision, CNN said it was withdrawing its lawsuit against the White House.

Reacting to the decision restoring his pass, Acosta said he was looking forward to returning to the White House.

“Thanks to everybody for their support. As I said last Friday... let’s get back to work,” he tweeted. 

But the White House also issued “rules governing future press conferences”. The new rules are for reporters covering the news conferences of either President Trump or senior administration officials.

“This afternoon we have notified Jim Acosta and CNN that his hard pass has been restored. We have also notified him of certain rules that will govern White House press conferences going forward,” White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said. As per the new White House guidelines, a reporter can ask a single question and permission for a follow up will be subject to the discretion of the individual holding the news conference.

Any violation of the rule might result in revocation of the press credentials, Sanders said, as she announced restoration of full media access to Acosta. — PTI