OOPS! Press Corps Backs CNN’s Jim Acosta, Calling Out Sarah Huckabee Sanders For ‘Complete Lie’
“If he really thought [Jim] was unfair, then why did he call on him? Because he wants the confrontation,” The New York Times’ Peter Baker wrote.
By Nick Visser
huffingtonpost.com
Fellow journalists and members of the White House press corps came to the immediate defense of CNN’s Jim Acosta on Wednesday after the Trump administration revoked his press credentials.
Acosta was involved in a fiery exchange with President Donald Trump during a lengthy, post-election news conference at the White House earlier Wednesday. After repeatedly asking the president questions, provoking a heated outburst, an intern stepped forward to try to take a microphone from the CNN reporter as he moved to evade her. Within hours, Acosta said the Secret Service had denied him entry to White House grounds and press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders claimed the reporter had placed his hands on the young woman.
Sarah Sanders
?@PressSec
President Trump believes in a free press and expects and welcomes tough questions of him and his Administration. We will, however, never tolerate a reporter placing his hands on a young woman just trying to do her job as a White House intern...
5:48 PM - Nov 7, 2018
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That account prompted a full-throated outcry from many political journalists.
The White House Correspondents’ Association, a coalition of the reporters who cover the executive branch, released its strong objections to the move, calling the decision “out of line” and “unacceptable.”
View image on Twitter
WHCA
?@whca
WHCA statement on White House decision on credentials.
7:26 PM - Nov 7, 2018
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“Journalists may use a range of approaches to carry out their jobs and the WHCA does not police the tone or frequency of the questions its members ask of powerful senior government officials, including the president,” the group wrote. “Such interactions, however uncomfortable they may appear to be, help define the strength of our national institutions.”
The group urged the White House to “immediately reverse this weak and misguided action” and encouraged the public to watch the video of Acosta’s interaction with the intern.
Peter Baker, chief White House correspondent for The New York Times, said the move was a “very bad sign” and something he had “never seen since I started covering the White House in 1996.”
Peter Baker
?@peterbakernyt
If this is a decision by the White House because it doesn't like the coverage, it's the first time I can remember this happening to any reporter since I started covering the White House more than 22 years ago. Very bad sign.
Jim Acosta
?@Acosta
I’ve just been denied entrance to the WH. Secret Service just informed me I cannot enter the WH grounds for my 8pm hit
5:56 PM - Nov 7, 2018
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“Other presidents did not fear tough questioning,” Baker wrote on Twitter, noting that Trump may have intentionally called on Acosta to lash out. “If he really thought [Jim] was unfair, then why did he call on him? Because he wants the confrontation.”
Reuters’ White House correspondent Jeff Mason, who said he was seated next to Acosta, said he did not see his colleague “‘placing his hands’ on the young intern.”
Others called the move “ incredibly concerning,” said it simply “ didn’t happen” or noted that the administration was likely trying to manufacture a “ fresh controversy for the base” following the midterm elections.
Yamiche Alcindor
?@Yamiche
The WH is now denying @Acosta access to the WH grounds do his job. This is incredibly concerning.
Jim Acosta
?@Acosta
I’ve just been denied entrance to the WH. Secret Service just informed me I cannot enter the WH grounds for my 8pm hit
5:57 PM - Nov 7, 2018
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James Oliphant
?@jamesoliphant
They need a fresh controversy for the base too.
Maggie Haberman
?@maggieNYT
They also groove on the drama, and try to pit reporters against each other by doing this kind of thing. It has been a slippery slope for a long time and here we are. twitter.com …
6:34 PM - Nov 7, 2018
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Ali Vitali
?@alivitali
This is wrong and deeply concerning.
Jim Acosta
?@Acosta
The US Secret Service just asked for my credential to enter the WH. As I told the officer, I don’t blame him. I know he’s just doing his job. (Sorry this video is not rightside up)
6:07 PM - Nov 7, 2018
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Olivia Nuzzi@Olivianuzzi
The thing about this White House is that, over and over again, they choose to lie in order to justify wrong and stupid decisions, knowing the press will get worked up over the lie and the base will either believe it or not care about it at all.
6:27 PM - Nov 7, 2018
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Katie Rogers
?@katierogers
First part is questionable, second part didn’t happen.
Sarah Sanders
?@PressSec
President Trump believes in a free press and expects and welcomes tough questions of him and his Administration. We will, however, never tolerate a reporter placing his hands on a young woman just trying to do her job as a White House intern...
5:57 PM - Nov 7, 2018
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