The White House has kept their word and issued a new set of rules for reporters attending presidential news conferences. The formation of these rules was put in progress after CNN’s White House Chief Correspondent Jim Acosta refused to give up the press microphone during a presidential briefing two weeks ago.
During future press conferences ‘journalists’ -- and Acosta -- are to abide by 3 new rules with a warning that breaking them - ‘may result in suspension or revocation’ of their ‘hard pass,’ according to a letter distributed by press secretary Sarah Sanders.
The rules are as follows:
This White House statement is best read in the tone of voice of a parent who's not angry at you, she's just ... disappointed. pic.twitter.com/ic9qAGDDDi
— Anthony Zurcher (@awzurcher) November 19, 2018
A much needed jab was taken at the CNN journalist in the letter, saying, "For years, members of the White House press corps have attended countless press events with the President and other officials without engaging in the behavior Mr. Acosta displayed at the November 7, 2018 press conference. We would have greatly preferred to continue hosting White House press conferences in reliance on a set of understood norms." The letter continues. "But, given the position taken by CNN, we now feel obligated to replace previously shared practices with explicit rules."
It’ll be interesting to see how Acosta behaves in the upcoming briefings. If his past behavior tells us anything, these current set of rules are going to be difficult for him to abide by.
The White House Correspondents’ Association was in agreement with the White House restoring Acosta’s hard pass but found issue with the new rules claiming they had ‘no role in crafting any procedures’ to the current requirements.
“The White House did the right thing in restoring Jim Acosta’s hard pass. The White House Correspondents’ Association had no role in crafting any procedures for future press conferences. For as long as there have been White House press conferences, White House reporters have asked follow-up questions. We fully expect this tradition will continue. We will continue to make the case that a free and independent news media plays a vital role in the health of our republic.”
— Oliver Knox, WHCA President
Obviously these rules have have caused many Trump haters to get their panties in a bunch, but what should one expect to happen when you have a “journalist”, like Acosta, behave as a child and not exhibit basic press conference decorum?
Take a look at a video from FOX Business discussing the new rules: