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Fox News to back CNN in lawsuit against Trump White House

By Theresa Seiger, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
By Theresa Seiger, Cox Media Group National Content Desk

CNN filed suit Tuesday against President Donald Trump and his top aides, arguing they violated both the network's and reporter Jim Acosta's constitutional rights when he was banned from the White House last week.

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Update 11:15 a.m. EST Nov. 13: Fox News plans to file an amicus brief in support of CNN in the news network's lawsuit against the Trump administration, Fox News president Jay Wallace said Wednesday in a statement.

"Secret Service passes for working White House journalists should never be weaponized," Wallace said. "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."

CNN filed suit against Trump and several officials Tuesday, days after reporter Jim Acosta had his press credentials revoked following a contentious exchange with the president.

White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders accused Acosta in a statement released after the incident of "placing his hands on a young woman just trying to do her job as a White House intern."

Update 10:25 p.m. EST Nov. 13: A federal judge has given the Trump administration until 11 a.m. Wednesday morning to respond to CNN's lawsuit demanding a temporary restraining order in the battle over the White House's revocation of reporter Jim Acosta's press credentials, according to The Washington Post.

A hearing is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon in U.S. District Court in Washington.

CNN's attorney said the network is considering whether to request financial damages in its claim against President Donald Trump.

Original report: In the lawsuit, filed in D.C. District Court, attorneys for CNN asked for Acosta's press credentials to be immediately reinstated and protected.

"While the suit is specific to CNN and Acosta, this could have happened to anyone," CNN officials said in a statement. "If left unchallenged, the actions of the White House would create a dangerous chilling effect for any journalist who covers our elected officials."

Attorneys for CNN named six defendants in the suit, including Trump, chief of staff John Kelly and White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders.

The lawsuit alleged the decision to revoke Acosta's credentials was a "severe and unprecedented punishment" following "years of hostility by President Trump against CNN and Acosta based on the contents of their reporting."

"(It's) an unabashed attempt to censor the press and exclude reporters from the White House who challenge and dispute the President's point of view," CNN attorneys said in the lawsuit.

Acosta's press credentials were suspended Wednesday after a White House intern attempted to take his microphone during a news conference with Trump. Huckabee Sanders released a statement after the incident accusing Acosta of "placing his hands on a young woman just trying to do her job as a White House intern."

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