WASHINGTON (AP) – A federal judge in Washington ordered the Trump administration to immediately return the White House press credentials of CNN reporter Jim Acosta.
U.S. District Court Judge Timothy Kelly announced his decision Friday morning.
CNN had asked that Acosta’s credentials be returned while a lawsuit over their revocation goes forward.
After the ruling, Theodore Boutrus, an attorney representing CNN, said this case was about more than Acosta.
“This is a great day for the First Amdendment and for journalism,” he said.
After thanking colleagues for their support, Acosta’s statements about the situation were brief.
“Let’s get back to work,” he said.
The network’s chief White House correspondent has clashed repeatedly with Trump and press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders in briefings over the last two years.
Acosta has clashed repeatedly with Trump and Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders in briefings over the last two years. The situation came to a head a White House pulled his credential last week following a combative press conference.
Kelly, the judge assigned to the case, is a Trump appointee.
Sanders issued a brief statement on the ruling.
Sarah Sanders WH react:
“Today, the court made clear that there is no absolute First Amendment right to access the White House…we will temporarily reinstate the reporter’s hard pass. We will also further develop rules and processes to ensure fair and orderly press conferences.”— Bob Costantini (@CostantiniWW1) November 16, 2018
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