The United States Secret Service took away CNN’s Jim Acosta’s “hard pass” late on Wednesday after the professional provocateur pulled another obnoxious stunt during a White House press conference.
“I’ve just been denied entrance to the WH. Secret Service just informed me I cannot enter the WH grounds for my 8pm hit,” Acosta wrote on Twitter.
I’ve just been denied entrance to the WH. Secret Service just informed me I cannot enter the WH grounds for my 8pm hit
— Jim Acosta (@Acosta) November 8, 2018
“President Trump believes in a free press and expects and welcomes tough questions of him and his Administration,” White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said in a tweet. “We will, however, never tolerate a reporter placing his hands on a young woman just trying to do her job as a White House intern.”
President Trump believes in a free press and expects and welcomes tough questions of him and his Administration. We will, however, never tolerate a reporter placing his hands on a young woman just trying to do her job as a White House intern…
— Sarah Sanders (@PressSec) November 8, 2018
“Contrary to CNN’s assertions there is no greater demonstration of the President’s support for a free press than the event he held today,” Sanders continued. “Only they would attack the President for not supporting a free press in the midst of him taking 68 questions from 35 different reporters over the course of 1.5 hours including several from the reporter in question.”
When Acosta showed up to the White House the Secret Service took his credentials.
WATCH:
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
“The fact that CNN is proud of the way their employee behaved is not only disgusting, it‘s an example of their outrageous disregard for everyone, including young women, who work in this Administration,” Sanders continued. “As a result of today’s incident, the White House is suspending the hard pass of the reporter involved until further notice.”
…over the course of 1.5 hours including several from the reporter in question. The fact that CNN is proud of the way their employee behaved is not only disgusting, it‘s an example of their outrageous disregard for everyone, including young women, who work in this Administration
— Sarah Sanders (@PressSec) November 8, 2018
Acosta responded to Sanders’ tweets by claiming it was a “lie.”
This is a lie. https://t.co/FastFfWych
— Jim Acosta (@Acosta) November 8, 2018
Video evidence of the incident shows that Acosta is the one lying, as he clearly touched the young woman, as Sanders correctly stated.
CNN’s Jim Acosta claims that he did not touch the White House intern.
Here’s the clear video evidence showing that he did. pic.twitter.com/gXjfrEtWSv
— Ryan Saavedra (@RealSaavedra) November 8, 2018
The reaction on Twitter was mixed with some people coming to his defense while others saw the White House’s actions as being warranted.
Acosta was rude to Trump and disrespectful to the WH staffer, but he didn’t assault anyone. I don’t think his actions warrant credentials being suspended, but it’s hard to have sympathy for a man who was basically asking for it.
— Sara Gonzales (@SaraGonzalesTX) November 8, 2018
Keep your sleazy hands off of the White House interns & you might not have these problems. https://t.co/UswGshvJLB pic.twitter.com/5ProMK4nM0
— Arthur Schwartz (@ArthurSchwartz) November 8, 2018
Why didn’t Acosta refuse to give his hard pass to the secret service like he refused to give the microphone to the female intern? Wonder how that would have worked out.
— Dr.Darrell Scott (@PastorDScott) November 8, 2018
You are a liar, @acosta. We saw you do it. https://t.co/4x1iqX5JW0
— Nick Searcy, INTERNATIONAL FILM & TELEVISION STAR (@yesnicksearcy) November 8, 2018
Via DailyWire
