Jim Acosta Says ‘Let’s Go Back to Work’ After Judge Rules White House Must Return His Press Credential

“I want to thank all of my colleagues in the press who supported us this week. And I want to thank the judge for the decision he made today,” CNN White House correspondent says

jim acosta cnn
Getty Images

CNN political correspondent Jim Acosta got straight to the point after a Washington, D.C. District court ruled the White House had to return his press credential on Friday, telling reporters outside the courthouse, “let’s go back to work.”

Federal judge Timothy J. Kelly granted CNN’s request for a temporary restraining order on Acosta’s behalf earlier that morning. However, Kelly did not make a ruling in CNN’s underlying case, filed Tuesday, against the Trump administration. The Friday decision will allow Acosta access to the White House for “at least a short period of time,” according to CNN. Several media outlets — including Fox News Channel — have publicly sided with CNN and Acosta on the matter.

“I want to thank all of my colleagues in the press who supported us this week. And I want to thank the judge for the decision he made today,” Acosta said. “And,” he added, pausing for a brief moment, “let’s go back to work.”

Acosta started speaking at the 3:10 mark in the CNN clip below:

Acosta has long been a thorn in the side of President Trump — who has blasted blasted Acosta and CNN on multiple occasions as “fake news.” In June, Acosta pressed the president several times on whether he’d stop calling the media “the enemy of the people.” He also called Trump “a dishonest, deceptive person” at a CNN panel discussion in New York last month.

Their contentious relationship came to a head earlier this month, after Acosta repeatedly questioned the president on the midterm elections. Trump called Acosta a “rude, terrible person” in an East Room press conference on Nov. 7. The White House revoked Acosta’s press pass later that day. That move set off a firestorm, with many journalists and pundits criticizing the president — while others, like Daily Wire editor-in-chief Ben Shapiro, skewered Acosta as a “terrible” objective journalist.

“This is a great day for the First Amendment and journalism,” attorney Ted Boutrous said Friday, before Acosta briefly acknowledged reporters.

“We are gratified with this result and we look forward to a full resolution in the coming days,” CNN said in a statement Friday, following Kelly’s ruling. “Our sincere thanks to all who have supported not just CNN, but a free, strong and independent American press.”

Comments