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White House reinstates CNN reporter's pass after court ruling – live Trump says he's answered Mueller's Russia inquiry questions – live
(35 minutes later)
Trump is insisting he answering the questions from Mueller.
“My lawyers aren’t working on it. I’m working on it. My lawyers don’t write the answers. I write the answers” said Trump. He added “The questions were answered by me.” Trump went on to describe what he was asked as “not very difficult questions.”
However, he did say “I haven’t submitted them yet. As you know, I’ve been a bit busy.”
White House Correspondents Association President Olivier Knox has issued a statement on the Acosta ruling
Statement from @whca. pic.twitter.com/EuR08enRfx
More news from White House pool reporter Tarini Parti:
Trump said he’s answered the questions sent by Mueller’s team. “I’ve answered them very easily. I’m working on them,” he said, stressing his lawyers aren’t the ones writing.
“You always have to be careful answering questions for people who have bad intentions.” “ I haven’t submitted them. I just finished them.”
Per White House pool reporter Tarini Parti:
“We’re writing up rules and regulations.”
“We have to practice decorum. We want total freedom of the press … we’re setting up a certain standard which is what the court is requesting.”
This is an interesting data point between the Democratic freshmen elected in the wave of 2006 and those elected last wee.
Genuinely wild to compare the demographics of Democrats who flipped seats in the 2006 wave vs. the 2018 wave. ...in 2006- 3% POC- 13% Women- 23% Under 45- 83% White men...in 2018- 21% POC- 68% Women- 53% Under 45- 24% White Men pic.twitter.com/HlfkBS21EK
Jim Acosta is back inside the White House. He was greeted by a scrum of reporters.
.@Acosta. "I would like to get back to work." #acostaisback pic.twitter.com/Pw5saWPvUm
New Age guru Marianne Williamson is throwing her hat into the ring.New Age guru Marianne Williamson is throwing her hat into the ring.
The New York Times best selling author announced she is forming an exploratory committee for the Democratic nomination in 2020. Williamson has been making trips to Iowa.The New York Times best selling author announced she is forming an exploratory committee for the Democratic nomination in 2020. Williamson has been making trips to Iowa.
The Guardian scooped her first trip to the state in August when she was still considering a bid.The Guardian scooped her first trip to the state in August when she was still considering a bid.
President Donald Trump had a long interview with the Daily Caller this week where he made unusual comments like “If you buy, you know, a box of cereal, if you do anything, you have a voter ID.”President Donald Trump had a long interview with the Daily Caller this week where he made unusual comments like “If you buy, you know, a box of cereal, if you do anything, you have a voter ID.”
The Washington Post’s Glenn Kessler has fact checked the interview here.The Washington Post’s Glenn Kessler has fact checked the interview here.
Another inside the White House memoir is coming.Another inside the White House memoir is coming.
Cliff Sims, a former Trump communications aide both on the campaign and in the administration, is writing a book.Cliff Sims, a former Trump communications aide both on the campaign and in the administration, is writing a book.
It will reportedly be modeled on George Stephanopoulos’ book All Too Human about his stint in the Clinton Administration.It will reportedly be modeled on George Stephanopoulos’ book All Too Human about his stint in the Clinton Administration.
The White House issued a statement on the court ruling today and says it will allow Jim Acosta to return to work.The White House issued a statement on the court ruling today and says it will allow Jim Acosta to return to work.
“Today, the court made clear that there is no absolute First Amendment right to access the White House. In response to the court, we will temporarily reinstate the reporter’s hard pass. We will also further develop rules and processes to ensure fair and orderly press conferences in the future.“Today, the court made clear that there is no absolute First Amendment right to access the White House. In response to the court, we will temporarily reinstate the reporter’s hard pass. We will also further develop rules and processes to ensure fair and orderly press conferences in the future.
There must be decorum at the White House.”There must be decorum at the White House.”
Turnout set records for a midterm across the country last week including in Polk County, Iowa which is the biggest jurisdiction in that swing state. Turnout almost reached 70% there. Polk County includes the state capitol of Des Moines and much of the city’s suburbs.Turnout set records for a midterm across the country last week including in Polk County, Iowa which is the biggest jurisdiction in that swing state. Turnout almost reached 70% there. Polk County includes the state capitol of Des Moines and much of the city’s suburbs.
The official turnout percentage for the 2018 General Election for Polk County is 66.95%.Polk had 207,423 voters which is the 4th largest turnout ever - and the highest non-presidential turnout.The official turnout percentage for the 2018 General Election for Polk County is 66.95%.Polk had 207,423 voters which is the 4th largest turnout ever - and the highest non-presidential turnout.
In both 2018 and 2020 news, Kamala Harris, considered a likely Democratic presidential contender, will be in Mississippi this weekend to campaign for Mike Espy in the special election runoff for the Senate.In both 2018 and 2020 news, Kamala Harris, considered a likely Democratic presidential contender, will be in Mississippi this weekend to campaign for Mike Espy in the special election runoff for the Senate.
Inbox: @KamalaHarris to campaign with Mike Espy in Jackson, Miss., on Saturday ahead of the Nov. 27 runoff. #MSSenInbox: @KamalaHarris to campaign with Mike Espy in Jackson, Miss., on Saturday ahead of the Nov. 27 runoff. #MSSen
Lindsey Graham will likely be the next chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee. The current chairman, Chuck Grassley, will step down to lead the Senate Finance Committee. Graham is the next in line to succeed him on the Judiciary Committee.Lindsey Graham will likely be the next chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee. The current chairman, Chuck Grassley, will step down to lead the Senate Finance Committee. Graham is the next in line to succeed him on the Judiciary Committee.
New — Grassley says he will leave Judiciary, chair FinanceNew — Grassley says he will leave Judiciary, chair Finance
CNN expects that Jim Acosta will be back reporting from the White House this afternoon.
CNN has formally requested the return of Jim @Acosta's press pass from the White House and expects he will be reporting from the W.H. this afternoon, DC bureau chief @SamFeistCNN says.
After Mira Ricardel was pushed out as deputy national security advisor by Melania Trump, she was offered a consolation prize.
Bloomberg reports that Ricardel was offered the post of Ambassador to Estonia. She turned it down.
Another House election was finally decided, albeit one that’s not terribly important as congressional elections go.
Democrat Susan Wild won the special election to fill the seat vacated by Republican Charlie Dent’s resignation in May, edging Republican Marty Nothstein by 759 votes.
The election is not that important because it’s for a district that no longer exists after a court redrew Pennsylvania’s congressional districts due to gerrymandering. Wild beat Nothstein in the 15th Congressional District in the special election. However, the two also ran against each other for a full term in the new 7th Congressional District which includes much of the 15th. In that race, Wild won by nearly 10 points.
Her win in the special election means a slightly reduced Republican majority in the House in the remaining weeks of the lame duck sessions. It also gives Wild a major boost in seniority. She’ll have a six week head start over the rest of the freshman class which will be over 80 strong in a chamber with 435 members.
The Senate Leadership Fund has a new ad out in the Mississippi special election runoff.
The super-PAC closely tied to Mitch McConnell attacks Democrat Mike Espy as a liberal with ties to the Clintons and for his support for gun control and opposition to the confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh.
CNN has a statement on the judge’s ruling.
Statement from CNN and @Acosta on today’s ruling: “We are gratified with this result and we look forward to a full resolution in the coming days. Our sincere thanks to all who have supported not just CNN, but a free, strong and independent American press.”
In the Democratic leadership fight, Jim Clyburn, who is running to be whip, the number three position in the caucus, has locked down the votes he needs.
I just informed @Clyburn that our whip team has secured more than enough commitments from Democratic members of the next Congress to elect him the House Majority Whip! We will continue to press for support to earn every vote.
The most significant drama left is for Speaker where Nancy Pelosi needs to be elected by a majority of the whole House, not just the Democratic caucus.
Jim Acosta just spoke briefly to reporters outside the courthouse:
“I just want to say something very briefly and I want to thank all of my colleagues in the press who supported us this week and I want to thank the judge for the decision he made today and let’s get back to work.”
New member orientation is ongoing on Capitol Hill where, for the first time, there was anti-sexual harassment training.
NEW: Members-Elect just received anti-sexual harassment training at orientation. It’s the first time this training has been done for new members of Congress.
In the courtroom, Kelly said “I want to emphasize the very limited nature of today’s ruling.” This doesn’t end the legal battle over Acosta’s access to the White House, it simply means that it is restored for now.
Acosta’s White House hard pass must be immediately restored according to Judge Kelly.
BREAKING: Judge says White House must immediately return press credentials of CNN’s Jim Acosta
Kelly was nominated by Trump and confirmed by the Senate in 2017. Prior to that, Kelly was a lawyer for Chuck Grassley on the Senate Judiciary Committee.