By now I’m sure you heard about the alleged confrontation between Emperor Trump and CNN reporter Jim Acosta that resulted in the suspension of Acosta’s White House Press credentials.
I call it alleged because Trump has a long history of targeting CNN with his Joseph Goebbels-styled “Fake News” propaganda, and he has a particular vendetta against Acosta. Frankly, the whole scenario reeks of the kind of reality TV set-up Trump has become known for whenever he needs a distraction to hide behind as cover for his failures.
While I usually avoid Trump’s “squirrel politics,” this attack on the media he has labeled “the enemy of the American people” is another example of the threat he presents to the First Amendment and a free press.
Fortunately, CNN isn’t taking Trump’s bullying tactics lying down.
Yesterday, the network filed a lawsuit against Trump and many of the top people in his administration, demanding that Acosta’s credentials be restored, setting up a court fight over the First Amendment. In a statement announcing the suit, CNN said they were defending all media against Trump’s dictatorial approach to the press.
“While the suit is specific to CNN and Acosta, this could have happened to anyone. If left unchallenged, the actions of the White House would create a dangerous, chilling effect for any journalist who covers our elected officials.”
Of course, right on cue, Trump Pravda began defending Trump while attacking CNN.
Faux News’ Sean Hannity, who supported the creation of a White House “blacklist” for media outlets who refused to bow to Trump during the 2016 election, accused Acosta of “Trump derangement syndrome” and said, “Without a doubt, Acosta deserves to be banned from the White House (because) he’s earned it.”
Mark Levin, radio personality and the host of Faux News’ weekend show “Life, Liberty & Levin,” was next to defend Trump, calling the CNN suit “ridiculous” and saying that “The courts should stay out of the case.”
Not everyone at Faux News agrees with Hannity and Levin. Libertarian Andrew Napolitano believes that CNN has a “very good case.”
“The only grounds for revoking the pass are, ‘Is the person a danger to the physical security of the president or his family.’ Obviously, Acosta may have been an irritant to the president, but he was hardly a danger to him. CNN has a very good case.”
Judge Napolitano also called Acosta’s behavior “part of the rough and tumble of the First Amendment” and he added that we should remember the words of Thomas Jefferson when he said, “I would rather have newspapers without government than a government without newspapers.”
With his ignorance of US history and the Constitution, Trump is probably unfamiliar with Jefferson’s feelings about the importance of a free press. Hopefully, the CNN lawsuit will be instrumental in bringing an end to his lack of knowledge concerning our rights . . . or at least bring an end to his tyrannical ambitions.
David Leach is the owner of The Strident Conservative. His politically incorrect and always “right” columns are also featured on NOQReport.com.
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