CNN reporter Jim Acosta asked President Donald Trump a question on Monday morning at a public event. On Monday afternoon, Trump’s 2020 campaign manager publicly called for Acosta to lose his credentials for doing so.
Maybe it is time for Jim Acosta to get a suspension for breaking protocol. He continues to embarrass himself and @CNN. Pull his credentials for each incident. https://t.co/WHC9nlIo75
— Brad Parscale (@parscale) April 2, 2018
Brad Parscale tweeted the demand in response to a Daily Caller story about Acosta’s outrageous decision to ask about immigration policy during the White House Easter Egg Roll. Trump has not held a press conference in over a year — 409 days, according to the Washington Post — so reporters have had to ask questions when the opportunity presents itself.
Trump did not answer Acosta’s query about Trump’s decision to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program that protects hundreds of thousands of undocumented immigrants brought to the United States as children.
Ironically, Trump ran on a promise that he would be more responsive to inquiries than his predecessor.
President Obama refuses to answer question about Iran terror funding. I won't dodge questions as your President. https://t.co/jsAMGO3s4P
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 5, 2016
Acosta responded on Monday afternoon to Parscale in a tweet, reminding him that the First Amendment protects his right to to ask questions, even to the President of the United States.
Just doing my job.. which is protected by the First Amendment of The Constitution. You might want to give it a read. https://t.co/lbUZmxGPJO
— Jim Acosta (@Acosta) April 2, 2018
Pascale later tweeted that Acosta asking the question was “[d]isrespectful and would have never been allowed previously.”