WASHINGTON — The White House has restored press credentials for CNN correspondent Jim Acosta, warning him he could lose them again if he fails to follow press conference rules.
The White House revoked Acosta’s press pass after a testy exchange with President Donald Trump during a nationally televised press conference two weeks ago.
CNN said the White House “backed down” and that it will drop its lawsuit against the Trump administration.
“Thanks to everybody for their support,” Acosta wrote on Twitter. “As I said last Friday … let’s get back to work.”
White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders informed Acosta in a letter Monday that he is once again welcome in the White House, but warned he and other reporters could lose their press passes if they fail to carry out what she calls “explicit rules” — a reporter is allowed just one question; only the president or others taking questions will allow a follow-up; and “yielding the floor” means hand over the microphone to an aide.
“For years, members of the White House press corps have attended countless press events with the president and other officials without engaging in the behavior Mr. Acosta displayed at the November 7 press conference,” Sanders said Monday.
The White House Correspondents’ Association said the White House was correct to restore Acosta’s pass, but expressed objection to the new rules.
“For as long as there have been White House press conferences, White House reporters have asked follow-up questions. We fully expect that tradition will continue,” said WHCA President Oliver Knox. “We will continue to make the case that a free and independent news media plays a vital role in the health of our republic.”
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