Acosta versus the White House round two: CNN reporter's pass threatened again

CNN's Jim Acosta enters the Brady press briefing room upon returning back to the White House in Washington last Saturday. Photo / AP

The Trump Administration has again targeted White House press credentials for CNN reporter Jim Acosta.

After a federal judge ordered that Acosta's credentials be temporarily restored last week, the White House sent Acosta a letter saying it had made the "preliminary decision" to suspend his pass.

The White House said Acosta would continue to hold his credentials while the 14-day judge's order was in effect.

The White House argues Acosta did not follow "basic standards" when he scrapped with US President Donald Trump at a news conference.

The letter from Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders and Communications Director Bill Shine, says that Trump is "aware of this preliminary decision and concurs".

CNN sought an emergency hearing, saying in a court filing today that the Administration was creating "retroactive due process".

The network tweeted that the White House "is continuing to violate the First and Fifth amendments of the Constitution".

The White House revoked Acosta's credentials after he and Trump tangled verbally during a November 7 press conference.

In the weekend ruling, the judge restored Acosta's credentials temporarily while a CNN lawsuit against the administration proceeds.

Trump has called for more "decorum" at the White House and has said staff is "writing up rules and regulations" for reporters.

- AP