A video shows Secret Service members taking a White House press pass away from CNN reporter Jim Acosta hours after he touched a female White House aide while she tried to take a microphone from him.
After asking President Donald Trump four questions during a press conference on Nov. 7, Acosta refused to give up the mic to let other reporters ask questions. When the female aide came over and tried to take the mic, Acosta blocked her arm with his in an aggressive manner.
Trump blasted Acosta, telling CNN they should be ashamed for employing him. Acosta and CNN didn’t apologize but falsely claimed that Acosta had not laid a hand on the intern, a claim that was rebutted by video footage recorded at the White House press conference.
On Wednesday night, video footage showed Secret Service taking away Acosta’s press pass.
Acosta recorded the footage.
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
His left hand is on top of her right arm. His left hand jerks down pushing her arm pic.twitter.com/7nXYQ7u11w
— Tim Pool (@Timcast) November 8, 2018
Denial of Video Evidence
CNN, The New York Times, and multiple other agencies falsely claimed that Acosta had not touched the White House aide, even in the face of video evidence.
Sarah Saunders, the press secretary, announced the suspension of Acosta’s pass due to his “placing his hands” on the female aide.
“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,” she said in a statement.
We stand by our decision to revoke this individual’s hard pass. We will not tolerate the inappropriate behavior clearly documented in this video. pic.twitter.com/T8X1Ng912y
— Sarah Sanders (@PressSec) November 8, 2018
“This conduct is absolutely unacceptable. It is also completely disrespectful to the reporter’s colleagues not to allow them an opportunity to ask a question. As a result of today’s incident, the White House is suspending the hard pass of the reporter involved until further notice.”
After CNN and other agencies made the false claims, Sanders included video footage of Acosta pushing the aide’s arm down.
GOP Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel, who was in attendance at the press conference, later wrote on Twitter, “We all value a free press, but it’s unfortunate that some reporters seem more interested in getting their own cable show than doing their jobs. The media grandstanding has gone overboard.”