‘Passes for Working White House Journalists Should Never Be Weaponized’ Says Fox News
In response to a CNN lawsuit filed when the White House revoked reporter Jim Acosta‘s press pass President Donald Trump is claiming “broad discretion” in limiting access to reporters. Last week at a rare press conference the White House tried to shut down the top CNN reporter when he began asking questions the president did not like.
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“The President and White House possess the same broad discretion to regulate access to the White House for journalists (and other members of the public) that they possess to select which journalists receive interviews, or which journalists they acknowledge at press conferences,” White House attorneys say in a court filing.
But if the White House is looking for support from the media outlet most-friendly to the Trump administration, on this issue they will be disappointed.
Fox News is accusing the White House of “weaponizing” press passes – and even chastises Trump and reporters for a “growing antagonistic tone” at press events.
“Fox News supports CNN in its legal effort to regain its White House reporter’s press credential. We intend to file an amicus brief with the U.S. District Court. Secret Service passes for working White House journalists should never be weaponized. While we don’t condone the growing antagonistic tone by both the president and the press at recent media avails, we do support a free press, access and open exchanges for the American people,” Fox News President Jay Wallace said in a statement.
At one point a White House intern was directed to remove the microphone from Acosta’s hands. White House press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders later posted a doctored video and accused Acosta of “inappropriate behavior.” That was a lie.