WASHINGTON (AP) A federal judge ordered the Trump administration on Friday to immediately return the White House press credentials of CNN reporter Jim Acosta, though a lawsuit over the credentials revocation is continuing.
U.S. District Court Judge Timothy Kelly, an appointee of President Donald Trump, announced his decision at a hearing Friday morning. The judge said Acostas credentials must be reactivated to allow him access to the White House complex for press briefings and other events.
Acosta, CNNs chief White House correspondent, was back in the afternoon. The White House said it would be developing new rules for orderly press conferences.
The White House revoked Acostas credentials last week after he and Trump tangled verbally during a press conference following the midterm elections. CNN sued and asked the judge to issue a temporary restraining order forcing the White House to give back Acostas credentials. The judge agreed.
CNN alleged that Acostas First and Fifth Amendment rights were violated when the White House revoked his hard pass.
While the judge didnt rule on the underlying case, he ordered Acostas pass returned for now in part because he said CNN was likely to prevail on its Fifth Amendment claim that Acosta hadnt received sufficient notice or explanation before his credentials were revoked or been given sufficient opportunity to respond before they were.
The judge said the government could not say who initially decided to revoke Acostas hard pass and how that decision was reached.
