The Trump administration banned a CNN reporter from an announcement by the president Wednesday, and Fox News promptly offered a firm statement about it.
CNN's White House reporter Kaitlyn Collins said that she was barred from a White House event, and was told by Bill Shine, deputy chief of staff for communications, that her behavior earlier in the day was the cause for the action.
"They said 'You are dis-invited from the press availability in the Rose Garden today,'" Collins said on CNN Wednesday. "They said that the questions I asked were inappropriate for that venue.
"And they said I was shouting," she added.
Collins said that she responded, "You're banning me from an event because you didn't like the questions I asked."
She said that Shine replied, "we're not banning your network. Your photographers can still come. Your producers can still come. But you are not invited to the Rose Garden today."
The White House Correspondents' Association condemned the action from the Trump administration.
"This type of retaliation is wholly inappropriate, wrong-headed, and weak. It cannot stand," the organization said in a statement.
Bret Baier offered a statement of support for CNN from Fox News in response to the reporter ban during his show.
"As a member of the White House press pool, FOX stands firmly with CNN on this issue of access," Baier said.
Fox News President Jay Wallace released a further statement on the issue.
“We stand in strong solidarity with CNN for the right to full access for our journalists as part of a free and unfettered press," Wallace said.
According to CNN, Collins asked three questions.
"Did Michael Cohen betray you, Mr. President?""Are you worried about what is on the other tapes?"
"Why is Vladimir Putin not accepting your invitation?"
Collins also claimed that she had asked her questions politely.
White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders confirmed the action in a statement but offered a different characterization of the reporter's questions.
"At the conclusion of a press event in the Oval Office, a reporter shouted questions and refused to leave despite repeatedly being asked to do so," Sanders said. "Subsequently, our staff informed her she was not welcome to participate in the next event, but made clear that any other journalist from her network could attend."
"She said it didn't matter to her because she hadn't planned to be there anyway," Sanders continued. "To be clear, we support a free press and ask that everyone be respectful of the presidency and guests at the White House."
"Absolutely disgraceful behavior from [Sarah Huckabee Sanders] and Shine," tweeted CNN's Jake Tapper. [Kaitlan Collins] is a tough professional and had every right to ask about Cohen, about whom POTUS has repeatedly tweeted. WH press corps and media writ large needs to unite against this."
Carlos Garcia
Staff Writer