In a statement released Wednesday, Fox News president Jay Wallace says the network supports CNN's lawsuit to restore one of its reporters "hard" press passes.
Wallace also said the network would file an amicus brief on behalf of CNN today.
"FOX News supports CNN in its legal effort to regain its White House reporter's press credential. We intend to file an amicus brief with the U.S. District Court. Secret Service passes for working White House journalists should not be weaponized. While we don't condone the antagonistic tone by both the President and the press at recent media avails, we do support a free press, access and open exchanges for the American people," Wallace's statement read.
Fox News joins the Associated Press, Bloomberg, CBS News, First Look Media, Gannett, NBC News, The New York Times, POLITICO and the Washington Post. The E.W. Scripps Company, this station's parent company, also joined in filing an amicus brief on CNN's behalf.
"Whether the news of the day concerns national security, the economy, or the environment, reporters covering the White House must remain free to ask questions. It is imperative that independent journalists have access to the President and his activities, and that journalists are not barred for arbitrary reasons. Our news organizations support the fundamental constitutional right to question this President, or any President. We will be filing friend-of-the-court briefs to support CNN's and Jim Acosta's lawsuit based on these principals," E.W. Scripps said in a statement.
ABC News also released a statement saying that the organization "stand(s) with CNN in believing that Jim Acosta should have his White House pass reinstated," though it's unclear if it also filed an amicus briefing.
The White House pulled CNN reporter Jim Acosta's hard pass last week after an incident at a press conference in which a White House staffer tried to forcefully grab a microphone while Acosta attempted to ask President Trump follow-up question. Trump had repeatedly told Acosta he was moving on to another reporter.
Though the White House maintains that it was simply revoking his "hard" pass and that Acosta could continually apply for daily passes, he has been denied daily passes multiple times since the incident.
On Tuesday, CNN filed a lawsuit against the White House, seeking the restoration of Acosta's hard pass on First and Fifth Amendment grounds. It's also seeking a preliminary injunction to allow Acosta to immediately resume covering the White House.
A hearing on the lawsuit is scheduled for 3:30 ET Wednesday.
Fox News President Jay Wallace announces network will file court brief in support of CNN suit agst Trump pic.twitter.com/Z7s1iwk3ox
— David Folkenflik (@davidfolkenflik) November 14, 2018
Alex Hider is a writer for the E.W. Scripps National Desk. Follow him on Twitter @alexhider.
