Irony Abounds

Contrary to long-standing rules and practices, and to the First Amendment, the spoiled child in the Oval Office has revoked what's called a hard press pass from the CNN reporter Jim Acosta.  As is so often the case, Mr. Trump acted willfully, and with an inflated view of his powers.

There are two types of passes that allow journalists access to the White House - daily, and the aforementioned hard.  The West Wing has defended itself in this matter by stating that Mr. Acosta could be admitted to press briefings on a one-day-at-a-time basis.  Trouble is, that basis is under the control of White House staffers.  Given the slavish adherence of most of those staffers, especially those in Communications, to Mr. Trump, the only viable arrangement for access by serious journalists is the hard pass.

Therein lies the conundrum for the Administration.  A hard press pass can only be revoked if the Secret Service or FBI believe that the individual holding the pass is, or could become, a threat to White House staff or fellow journalists.

Which brings us to irony abounding.  CNN has filed a lawsuit against the Trump Administration, noting the the problem the White House has created for itself, and asking that Mr. Acosta's hard press pass be renewed.  The irony lies, not in that position, but in the fact that the lawyer overseeing the case is Ted Olson, who was instrumental in the 2000 Supreme Court decision in Bush v Gore.

As someone with impeccable credenntials as a conservative, the fact that Olson took on CNN's suit against the Trump Administration says a lot.