CNN has a new ally in their battle against President Trump and the White House over a reporter’s press credentials.
Fox News announced Wednesday that they intend to file an amicus brief in the matter.
“Fox News supports CNN in its legal effort to regain its White House reporter’s press credential,” said Fox News President Jay Wallace in a statement. “We intend to file an amicus brief with the U.S. District Court. Secret Service passes for working White House journalists should never be weaponized. 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.
In a lawsuit filed Tuesday, CNN sued Mr. Trump, press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders and others at the White House, in an effort to have reporter Jim Acosta’s press credentials restored. The network claims his First Amendment rights were violated.
The White House Correspondents Association and the Society of Professional Journalists also have offered their support to CNN.
Some disagree.
“Jim Acosta has no constitutional right to a White House press pass, period,” talk radio host Rush Limbaugh told his 14 million listeners Tuesday. “Jim Acosta has no constitutional right to a White House-issued microphone. And Jim Acosta has no constitutional right to ask the president of the United States questions.
“The White House is not prohibiting CNN from being in there. CNN is not being denied access. CNN is not being denied the opportunity to ask questions or harass the president. CNN has a reporter in there replacing Acosta. There literally are no grounds. There’s no basis for this,” Mr. Limbaugh said, noting that Mr. Acosta does not need to be physically in the White House to report on it.
• Jennifer Harper can be reached at jharper@washingtontimes.com.
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