White House in Legal Battle over Press Credentials Removal
The Biden Administration Faces Lawsuit Over Press Credentials
The Biden administration has been vocal about its support for affirmative action and special accommodations for black individuals in education and the workplace. However, a recent lawsuit filed by African journalist Simon Ateba against White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and the Secret Service challenges this stance.
The lawsuit, known as “Ateba v Jean-Pierre,” alleges that Ateba’s press badge was unjustly revoked after he caused disruptions during press briefings. Ateba claims that his conservative voice was being suppressed by the revocation of his press pass.
BREAKING: Simon Ateba, popular White House correspondent for Today News Africa, has filed a LAWSUIT against KJP.
The lawsuit alleges that Ateba’s press pass was revoked in an attempt to suppress his conservative voice.
DO YOU SUPPORT THIS? https://t.co/bfHNtaVc0Y
— Proud Elephant (@ProudElephantUS) August 11, 2023
The lawsuit argues that revoking Ateba’s press pass violated his First and Fifth Amendment rights by unconstitutionally restricting someone who qualifies as “the press.” This legal action highlights the new regulations introduced by the White House on May 5 regarding press credentials, which allowed for the potential revocation of journalists’ credentials for the first time in U.S. history. These regulations aimed to address a legal gap that previously prevented authorities from revoking press badges.
Should Ateba and Others Have Their Credentials Reinstated?
The updated regulations were introduced after Ateba caused disruptions during a press briefing on March 20. He criticized Jean-Pierre for undermining the integrity of the First Amendment by appearing alongside the cast of the Apple TV show “Ted Lasso” as a promotional stunt.
Had a wide-ranging discussion about the importance of mental health with some folks from an English soccer team.
You’ll see video of it soon. pic.twitter.com/8ehCmsW4WJ
— President Biden (@POTUS) March 20, 2023
Ateba believed it was unfair that actors from a comedy show were given time at a press briefing while he was unable to ask any questions relevant to his online publication, “Today News Africa.” He confronted Jean-Pierre, accusing her of discrimination and demanding to be given the opportunity to ask questions.
Karine Jean-Pierre just got humiliated by South African reporter Simon Ateba for glorifying celebrities while not allowing him to ask a single question over his 7 months of attending White House press briefings.
Ateba will be on Tucker Carlson tonight.pic.twitter.com/ITFg8HYmBU
— Paul A. Szypula (@Bubblebathgirl) March 20, 2023
According to Today News Africa, the new criteria for hard passes require reporters to have credentials from either the Supreme Court or one of the four Congressional Press Galleries. However, Ateba argues that Supreme Court credentials are typically granted only to full-time court reporters, and the criteria for credentials from the congressional press galleries are seen as vague and exclusive.
Ateba’s press pass expired on July 31, but he did not apply for a new one because the updated rules required credentials from either the Capitol or the Supreme Court, which he did not possess.
After July 31, the number of hard pass holders decreased from 1417 to 975, according to a statement to Politico’s West Wing Playbook. The White House attributed this decrease to journalists who no longer cover the White House and chose not to reapply for credentials.
The First Amendment was established to protect the freedom of the press, and Ateba’s attorney, Harmeet Dhillon, argues that the defendants violated his client’s First Amendment rights by intentionally preventing him from obtaining hard pass access. Dhillon claims that the credentialing criteria were designed to exclude Ateba, constituting discrimination and viewpoint discrimination in violation of the First Amendment.
It is worth considering the language used in this lawsuit. Imagine a lawsuit filed by an African man against a Republican administration, alleging criteria specifically designed to exclude him. Or imagine the public reaction to migrants being held in cages in extreme heat under a Republican administration. The double standards and selective outrage are evident.
Hi @AOC – are you gonna bust out your white pantsuit and red lipstick for a photo op or do you only care about cages when a Republican is in office? https://t.co/y40syxelPj
— Chicks On The Right (@chicksonright) August 4, 2023
Migrants in Arizona on the border with Mexico are kept in cages in conditions of more than forty degrees of heat, writes the Daily Mail. pic.twitter.com/0Y1WrjfeMF
— Animal World (@dragon_of_time_) August 7, 2023
However, these double standards are often overlooked or justified when it comes to the actions of the Democratic Party. The lawsuit against the White House regarding press credentials serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding the principles of the First Amendment and ensuring equal treatment for all journalists, regardless of their political beliefs.
The post White House Stepped on a Land Mine by Stripping Press Credentials: Landmark First Amendment Lawsuit Filed appeared first on The Western Journal.
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