Napolitano: CNN has ‘very good case’ against Trump administration

Fox News legal commentator Andrew Napolitano on Tuesday said rival network CNN may have a “very good case” in its lawsuit against the White House over the Trump administration’s decision to revoke reporter Jim Acosta’s press pass.

Speaking with host Stuart Varney on the Fox Business Network, Napolitano said CNN’s legal team would prevail against the Trump administration “quickly.”

{mosads}“The only grounds for revoking the pass are, ‘Is the person a danger to the physical security of the president or his family?’ And obviously, Acosta may have been an irritant to the president but he was hardly a danger to him,” Napolitano said.

“So, I think CNN has got a very good case,” he added. “I think this will be resolved quickly. I don’t expect a jury trial. I think it will either be settled or CNN will prevail on the motion.”

Later in the interview, Napolitano went on to reference former President Jefferson’s adage about newspapers and press freedom, arguing that the right was sacred to the Founding Fathers.

“Remember Jefferson: ‘I would rather have newspapers without government than a government without newspapers.’ A bit hyperbolic but you can understand the value of the free press to the Founders,” Napolitano said.

The judge’s comments came hours after it was announced by CNN that the network would demand in court that Acosta’s press credentials be reinstated.

“While the suit is specific to CNN and Acosta, this could have happened to anyone,” CNN’s representatives said in a statement. “If left unchallenged, the actions of the White House would create a dangerous chilling effect for any journalist who covers our elected officials.”

Acosta’s press credentials were yanked last week after the White House asserted that Acosta physically prevented an intern from taking away a microphone he was holding during a news conference.

White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders later shared a video of the interaction that appeared to have been sped up to make it look like Acosta struck the aide. The incident occurred after Trump called Acosta a “rude, horrible” person.

Sanders on Tuesday dismissed the legal action as “just more grandstanding from CNN” and pledged the administration “will vigorously defend against this lawsuit.”

“CNN, who has nearly 50 additional hard pass holders, and Mr. Acosta is no more or less special than any other media outlet or reporter with respect to the First Amendment,” Sanders said in a statement.