NEW YORK (NEWS 1130) – The White House says it has suspended the press pass of CNN White House correspondent Jim Acosta.
The suspension comes after a heated confrontation Wednesday between Acosta and President Donald Trump during a news conference.
They began sparring after Acosta asked Trump about the caravan of migrants heading from Latin America to the southern U.S. border. When Acosta tried to follow up with another question, Trump said, “That’s enough!” and a White House aide unsuccessfully tried to grab the microphone from Acosta.
This conduct is absolutely unacceptable. It is also completely disrespectful to the reporter’s colleagues not to allow them an opportunity to ask a question. President Trump has given the press more access than any President in history.
— Sarah Sanders (@PressSec) November 8, 2018
White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders released a statement accusing Acosta of “placing his hands on a young woman just trying to do her job as a White House intern,” calling it “absolutely unacceptable.”
Acosta tweeted a video of what he says is a U.S. Secret Service agent taking away his credentials to enter the White House.
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) pic.twitter.com/juQeuj3B9R
— Jim Acosta (@Acosta) November 8, 2018
Journalists should stand up for their colleagues: instructor
Meanwhile in Vancouver, local journalism instructor Frances Bula says the incident at the White House today is shocking.
“For a mainstream reporter from a large television network who has been covering issues for years and is simply asking the kinds of questions that would be expected of politicians of all kinds is really startling,” she says.
According to Bula, it unsettles the relationship that exists between the White House and the media.
“People who are remaining covering the White House have to wonder, what question might I ask that might get my pass revoked,” she says.
Bula suggests other outlets take some kind of action in protest to support their colleague and demonstrate this kind of action is not tolerated: “It could be very well them tomorrow.”
