Sheila Jackson Lee: “Today the court has affirmed the value of the First Amendment and provided the credentials back to CNN reporter Jim…”

“Today the court has affirmed the value of the First Amendment and provided the credentials back to CNN reporter Jim Acosta. It is unfortunate that since taking office, the President has treated members of the press differently than did his predecessors. The President constantly disparages the fourth estate as fake news, derides the press as the enemy of the people, and routinely singles out individual members of the press. It is fortunate that no injury has yet come, because last month the Trump zealot in Florida, inspired by his devotion to the President, took it upon himself to mail pipe bombs to perceived enemies of the President, including two former Presidents, the news desk of the Cable News Network, Secretaries of State, Attorneys General, and Congresspeople. The President seems to reserve his most special and pointed derision for African-American women members of the media. In particular, April Ryan of the American Urban Radio Networks and CNN; Abby Phillip of The Washington Post; and Yamiche Alcindor of the Public Broadcasting System. Instead, the President derided April Ryan as a loser; called Abby Phillip stupid; and accused Yamiche Alcindor of racism when she asked him about his claim to be a nationalist. Let us be very clear. The questions asked of the President were pointed, timely, and relevant. They were not dumb, racist, or stupid.…”