White House introduces new press rules amid CNN row

Nov. 19 (UPI) -- The White House notified CNN reporter Jim Acosta that it restored his hard press pass Monday afternoon amid new rules for journalists during administration news conferences.

In response to the decision to reinstate Acosta's credentials -- after U.S. District Court Judge Timothy J. Kelly ordered his press pass be restored Friday -- CNN announced it would no longer seek legal action against the White House.

"Today the White House fully restored Acosta's press pass. As a result, our lawsuit is no longer necessary. We look forward to continuing to cover the White House," CNN Communications wrote on Twitter.

Additionally, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders instituted new rules for journalists at future news conferences.

Under the new rules a journalist will be permitted a single question before yielding the floor to other journalists, but a follow-up question or questions may be permitted at the discretion of the president of other White House officials taking questions.

After follow-up questions have been asked the questioner will be required to yield the floor, which when applicable constitutes "physically surrendering the microphone to White House staff for use by the next questioner."

Sanders added that failure to abide by any of the rules may result in suspension or revocation of the journalist's hard pass.

"We have created these rules with a degree of regret," Sanders said. "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."

During the aforementioned press conference Acosta challenged Trump for referring to a caravan of Central American migrants approaching the United States as an "invasion." In the midst of a heated exchange Trump called Acosta "a rude, terrible person" and ordered a White House aide to take the microphone from Acosta's hand.

Acosta's press pass was withdrawn the following day.

Sanders also said the White House may institute further rules regarding press decorum if necessary.

"It would be a great loss for all if, instead of relying on the professionalism of White House journalists, we were compelled to devise a lengthy and detailed code of conduct for White House events," she said.