Washington: The White House has restored the full press credentials of CNN reporter Jim Acosta, less than two weeks after it temporarily suspended them following the journalist’s altercation with President Donald Trump during a news conference.
The Trump administration’s decision came after a judge ordered that Acosta could continue reporting at the White House.
Following the decision, CNN announced to withdraw its lawsuit against the White House.
Announcing its decision on Monday, the White House also issued “rules governing future press conferences”. The new rules are for reporters covering the news conferences of either President Trump or senior administration officials.
“This afternoon we have notified Jim Acosta and CNN that his hard pass has been restored. We have also notified him of certain rules that will govern White House press conferences going forward,” White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said.
Reacting to the decision restoring his pass, Acosta said he was looking forward to returning to the White House.
“Thanks to everybody for their support. As I said last Friday… let’s get back to work,” tweeted the Chief White House Correspondent of CNN.
Acosta’s hard pass was temporarily suspended after his argument with Trump during a news conference on November 7.
CNN challenged the decision in the court. After a federal district court overruled the White House’s order, Acosta’s hard pass was temporarily restored on Friday.
As per the new White House guidelines, a reporter can ask a single question and permission for a follow up will be subject to the discretion of the individual holding the news conference.
Any violation of the rule might result in revocation of the press credentials, Sanders said, as she announced restoration of full access to Acosta.
Listing out the three new rules, Sanders said a journalist will ask a single question and then yield the floor to other journalists.
Secondly, at the discretion of the President or other White House official taking questions, a follow-up question or questions may be permitted.
Finally, “yielding the floor” includes, when applicable, physically surrendering the microphone to White House staff for use by the next questioner, Sanders said.
“Failure to abide by any of rules may result in suspension or revocation of the journalist’s hard pass,” she warned.
Shortly after the White House’s decision, CNN announced to withdraw its lawsuit against the Trump administration.
