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CNN's Jim Acosta Stripped Of White House Pass Following Tense Exchange With Trump

CNN's Jim Acosta was denied access to the White House hours after he and President Donald Trump battled through a tense exchange.
CNN's Jim Acosta Stripped Of White House Pass Following Tense Exchange With Trump
Drew Angerer—Getty Images
By Breanna Edwards ·
President Donald Trump’s tense relationship with the press just got a little bit strained after CNN’s Jim Acosta was “suspended” from the White House “until further notice,” and had his White House Hard Pass, needed for entry through the gates, was taken away from him by a Secret Service agent. Acosta tweeted about having to surrender his pass at 7:52 p.m. Wednesday evening, with a video embedded showing his pass being taken away by the agent. This occurred mere hours after Acosta and the President had a fiery exchange, with Trump calling Acosta a “rude, terrible” person, after Acosta tried to get his questions answered. The journalist was asking Trump about likening the migrant caravan of about 4,000 people on their way through Mexico to seek asylum in the U.S. as an “invasion.” Trump attempted to ignore the question and signaled for another journalist to proceed, but Acosta refused to give up the mic, switching his questions to one about Mueller’s ongoing investigation into the 2016 election and possible Russian influence. A White House intern attempted to recover the mic from Acosta, who avoided her grasp and persisted. After a few tense moments, Acosta surrendered the mic and another journalist began his questions, only for the President to lash out. “CNN should be ashamed of itself having you working for them. You are a rude, terrible person.” Later, Press Secretary Sarah Sanders accused Acosta of “placing his hands” on the intern. “President Trump believes in a free press and expects and welcomes tough questions of him and his Administration,” Sanders said in a statement. “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. This conduct is absolutely unacceptable.” Acosta has defended himself, calling Sanders’ statement a “lie”. Other journalists have also come to his defense, as well, and CNN is firmly standing behind him.  
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