Sam Donaldson shames Trump for banning CNN’s Jim Acosta – who’s suing to get his press pass back 

Retired broadcast journalist Sam Donaldson filed a court affidavit supporting the lawsuit that CNN filed against the White House on Tuesday, suggesting President Donald Trump needs thicker skin to withstand tough questions from reporters he dislikes.

Donaldson, who spent 46 years with ABC News and covered the White House during the 1970s, ’80s and ’90s, sided with CNN correspondent Jim Acosta in his legal tussle with the Trump administration.

The White House revoked Acosta’s press credentials hours after a contentious November 7 news conference in which he verbally disagreed with Trump and clashed with a female intern rather than give up a microphone.

‘No president fully likes reporters who ask uncomfortable questions, which may call for answers explaining mistakes or flaws or controversial actions in a president’s performance,’ wrote the 84-year-old Donaldson.

‘But President Harry Truman summed up the necessary interplay between a president and the press corps when he advised government officials at every level: “If you can’ t take the heat, get out of the kitchen”.’

Scroll down to read the lawsuit 

Famed ABC Newsman Sam Donaldson sided with CNN reporter Jim Acosta on Tuesday in a battle over access to the White House

The Trump White House banned Acosta following a contentious verbal tussle with the president and a more physical clash with a female intern, both during a press conference

The Trump White House banned Acosta following a contentious verbal tussle with the president and a more physical clash with a female intern, both during a press conference

CNN sued the White House on Tuesday and Donaldson sided with the network, saying that he could never imagine a White House revoking a reporter's credentials over behavior like Acosta's during the Nov. 7 press conference

CNN sued the White House on Tuesday and Donaldson sided with the network, saying that he could never imagine a White House revoking a reporter’s credentials over behavior like Acosta’s during the Nov. 7 press conference

Donaldson suggested President Trump is thin-skinned when confronted by reporters he doesn't like, quoting former President Harry Truman sayingL:'If you can' t take the heat, get out of the kitchen'

Donaldson suggested President Trump is thin-skinned when confronted by reporters he doesn’t like, quoting former President Harry Truman sayingL:’If you can’ t take the heat, get out of the kitchen’

Acosta saw his press pass revoked last Wednesday after he clashed with an intern over a press conference microphone and harangued President Donald Trump

Acosta saw his press credentials rescinded Wednesday after he clashed with an intern over a press conference microphone

Other than Donaldson and Acosta himself, two other newsmen offered sworn statements: CNN Washington Bureau Chief Sam Feist and Dallas Morning News White House correpondent Todd Gillman.

Harry Truman, the 33rd U.S. president, famously offered his advice about heat and kitchens to people who couldn't stomach the intense pressure of running the government

Harry Truman, the 33rd U.S. president, famously offered his advice about heat and kitchens to people who couldn’t stomach the intense pressure of running the government

Gillman wrote that he oversaw the creation of a manual for new White House reporters in 2017, explaining how to get the kind of ‘hard pass’ credential that the White House confiscated from Acosta. 

That action was unprecedented, he said.

‘To my knowledge, eligibility for a hard pass has never been denied, revoked or suspended for any reason other than an individual being reassigned from the White House beat, failing to enter the White House for an extended period of at least six months, or because of a red flag on a criminal background check,’ Gillman wrote.

Donaldson’s statement calls Acosta’s reporting ‘most able and professional,’ and wrote that taking away the pass that allows him to enter the White House grounds was ‘unprecedented and wholly without justification.’

‘It appears to have been done solely because President Trump does not like Jim Acosta,’ he added, speculating that it’s because the CNN veteran has often ‘pressed him to explain his answer to a proper question about a matter of public interest.’

‘I am not aware of any prior situation in which a White House correspondent’s hard pass was revoked,’ Donaldson wrote. ‘My colleagues and I never would have imagined such action was possible.’

CNN’s federal lawsuit Tuesday against the Trump administration after the White House suspended White House correspondent Jim Acosta’s ‘hard pass’ press credential. Acosta clashed with President Donald Trump and a press office intern during a November 7 press conference.

The networks’ suit, filed by a team that includes former George W. Bush solicitor general Ted Olson, demands the immediate return of Acosta’s credentials. The White House fired back at CNN, one of the president’s favorite targets, for ‘grandstanding.’

Donaldson was a White House correspondent during the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s; he's pictured asking President Bill Clinton a question in April 1998, during his first press conference after the Monica Lewinsky scandal broke

Donaldson was a White House correspondent during the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s; he’s pictured asking President Bill Clinton a question in April 1998, during his first press conference after the Monica Lewinsky scandal broke

Acosta lost access to the building last Wednesday night, hours after refusing to give up a microphone when the president said he had answered enough of his questions.

He wrote in his own affidavit that what happened next was a first. 

‘At one point a White House intern approached me and attempted to physically remove the microphone from my right hand. … I held onto the microphone, stated “Pardon me, ma’am,” and continued asking the President my questions. 

He disputed the White House’s claim that he ‘placed his hands on’ the female intern.

‘In my time as a White House correspondent, I have not seen or experienced a White House intern trying to physically remove a microphone from a reporter’s hand,’ he explained. 

‘I interpreted the intern’s unprecedented actions as an expression of the President’s dissatisfaction with the topics of my questions. 

At the time Acosta had already asked two questions and Trump had called on another reporter. 

Acosta was banned from the White House last week after a heated exchange with President Trump during a press conference in which an intern tried to take his microphone away

Acosta was banned from the White House last week after a heated exchange with President Trump during a press conference in which an intern tried to take his microphone away

Donaldson covered many presidents, including Jimmy Carter (background), all for ABC News

Donaldson covered many presidents, including Jimmy Carter (background), all for ABC News

White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said in a statement Tuesday that Acosta ‘physically refused to surrender a White House microphone to an intern’ during the press conference on Nov. 7.

That appeared to be softer language than her earlier claim that he placed ‘his hands on a young woman just trying to do her job.’ CNN has disputed the implication of anything more than minor, incidental physical contact.

Attorneys for CNN sued Tuesday in Washington, D.C. in U.S. District Court.

The network claims the revocation of Acosta’s press pass violates the constitutional rights to freedom of the press and due process. CNN is asking for an immediate restraining order to reinstate Acosta’s access to the White House.

The suit ‘demands the return of the White House credentials of CNN’s Chief White House correspondent, Jim Acosta. The wrongful revocation of these credentials violates CNN and Acosta’s First Amendment rights of freedom of the press, and their Fifth Amendment rights to due process,’ according to a CNN statement.

‘We have asked this court for an immediate restraining order requiring the pass be returned to Jim, and will seek permanent relief as part of this process.’

The suit names as defendants Trump, chief of staff John Kelly, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders, deputy chief of staff for communications and former Fox News executive Bill Shine, the director of the U.S. Secret Service and the uniformed officer who took away the credentials.

Acosta, who has frequently clashed with President Trump during persistent questioning, lost access to the White House on Wednesday night

Acosta, who has frequently clashed with President Trump during persistent questioning, lost access to the White House on Wednesday night

The network is seeking a preliminary injunction. It has already written the White House demanding an end to Acosta’s punishment.

The suit was filed by Ted Boutrous, and Olson, of the firm Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher. 

Olivier Knox, president of the White House Correspondents’ Association, said in a statement that the group ‘strongly supports CNN’s goal of seeing their correspondent regain a US Secret Service security credential that the White House should not have taken away in the first place.’

Sanders responded: ‘We have been advised that CNN has filed a complaint challenging the suspension of Jim Acosta’s hard pass. This is just more grandstanding from CNN, and we will vigorously defend against this lawsuit.’

She continued: ‘CNN, who has nearly 50 additional hard pass holders, and Mr. Acosta is no more or less special than any other media outlet or reporter with respect to the First Amendment. After Mr. Acosta asked the President two questions—each of which the President answered—he physically refused to surrender a White House microphone to an intern, so that other reporters might ask their questions. This was not the first time this reporter has inappropriately refused to yield to other reporters.’

‘The White House cannot run an orderly and fair press conference when a reporter acts this way, which is neither appropriate nor professional. The First Amendment is not served when a single reporter, of more than 150 present, attempts to monopolize the floor. If there is no check on this type of behavior it impedes the ability of the President, the White House staff, and members of the media to conduct business,’ Sanders concluded.

The White House did not respond on Tuesday to a question about whether Sanders issued the statement in her capacity as a presidential spokesperson or as a named defendant in the lawsuit.

Donaldson appeared Sunday on CNN’s ‘Reliable Sources’ program, first revealing he had been asked to sign an affidavit in support of CNN’s case.

He described the decision to ban Acosta as ‘not only wrong and unfair’ but also ‘dangerous for the press as a whole.’ 

The ACLU responded to the suit with a statement by Ben Wizner, director of the group’s Speech, Privacy, and Technology Project.

‘It is un-American and unlawful for the president to expel a reporter from the White House briefing room for doing his job. It shouldn’t take a lawsuit from CNN to remind the president of the First Amendment. The White House should reverse its decision immediately.’

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