CNN’s Jim Acosta thanked his colleagues and the judge who ordered the White House to — at least temporarily — return his hard pass on Friday and restore his regular access to daily press briefings.
“Let’s get back to work,” CNN White House correspondent Jim Acosta says after judge grants CNN’s request for a temporary restraining order to restore his press pass. https://t.co/hqOwYWutvz pic.twitter.com/Uc1770FBzw
— NBC News (@NBCNews) November 16, 2018
“I want to thank all of my colleagues in the press who have supported us this week,” Acosta told reporters as he left the courtroom. “And I want to thank the judge for the decision he made today. And — let’s go back to work!” (RELATED: Senator Jeff Flake Cheers On Embattled CNN’s Acosta)
CNN also offered a statement on the ruling, saying, “We are gratified with this result and we look forward to a full resolution in the coming days. Our sincere thanks to all who have supported not just CNN, but a free, strong and independent American press.”
Statement from CNN and @Acosta on today’s ruling: “We are gratified with this result and we look forward to a full resolution in the coming days. Our sincere thanks to all who have supported not just CNN, but a free, strong and independent American press.”
— CNN Communications (@CNNPR) November 16, 2018
Acosta was allowed to return to the White House immediately following the ruling. (RELATED: White House Reacts To Jim Acosta Court Ruling)
“Reporting for duty,” says @acosta at the WH northwest gate to get his press pass back and enter the WH grounds. pic.twitter.com/Dn7XFmwGQt
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) November 16, 2018
.@acosta becomes the news on return to the WH. pic.twitter.com/cJfc1ktF3T
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) November 16, 2018
His return may be temporary, however, because in Friday’s ruling, the judge also provided a roadmap for the White House to follow in order to revoke any reporter’s hard pass without pushback from the court.
NEW: White House responds to order to restore Jim Acosta’s press pass as case progresses: “We will temporarily reinstate the reporter’s hard pass. We will also further develop rules and processes to ensure fair and orderly press conferences in the future.” https://t.co/t3JVuFI560 pic.twitter.com/h5Um0VzvbP
— ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) November 16, 2018
The court ruled in Acosta’s favor based on the argument that his Fifth Amendment rights were violated — saying that the White House did not allow Acosta due process.
As White House press secretary Sarah Sanders noted in her response, the court also made it clear that no reporter had “an absolute First Amendment Right to access the White House.” As such, the court’s ruling opened the door for the White House to revoke any reporter’s hard pass provided due process was granted.