Watch Sarah Sanders' fierce response to a reporter who questioned Trump's commitment to a free press


President Trump began his Wednesday by wondering on Twitter whether the White House should restrict reporters' access to the administration, because "the fake news is working overtime." "Take away credentials?" he mused, with the wispiness of a dandelion blowing in the breeze.
Those ethereal dandelion seeds, unfortunately, blew right into the face of White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders. During her press briefing Wednesday, Sanders was asked by ABC News' Cecilia Vega about the idea of revoking reporters' credentials.
"Is that a line that as press secretary, you would be willing to cross?" Vega asked. Sanders responded by pointing out that she was, at that very moment, answering questions from the media, and that Trump himself had done so earlier in the day. But Vega pressed further: "How is the suggestion of taking American journalists' press credentials away advocating for a free press in this country? Those two do not go together."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sanders shot back that once again, "the fact that I'm standing here taking questions" should be an indicator of the White House's openness to the media. She added that "at the same time, the press has a responsibility to put out accurate information," and pointedly referenced two recent news stories that she found to be "outrageous." Watch the heated exchange below. Kimberly Alters
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Kimberly Alters is the news editor at TheWeek.com. She is a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.
-
'The attack doesn't need to be so blunt'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
The early career of American painter John Singer Sargent
Feature "Sargent and Paris" is at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City, through Aug. 3
-
One great cookbook: 'The New Book of Middle Eastern Food'
The Week Recommends Where the academic and the practical coexist
-
Trump vows 'very big force' against parade protesters
Speed Read The parade, which will shut down much of the capital, will celebrate the US Army's 250th anniversary and Trump's 79th birthday
-
Smithsonian asserts its autonomy from Trump
speed read The DC institution defied Trump's firing of National Portrait Gallery Director Kim Sajet
-
Trump sends Marines to LA, backs Newsom arrest
speed read California Gov. Gavin Newsom is filing lawsuits in response to Trump's escalation of the federal response to ICE protests
-
Trump foists National Guard on unwilling California
speed read Protests erupted over ICE immigration raids in LA county
-
Supreme Court lowers bar in discrimination cases
speed read The court ruled in favor of a white woman who claimed she lost two deserved promotions to gay employees
-
Trump-Musk relationship implodes in taunts, threats
speed read Musk said Trump's multitrillion bill would cause a recession and accused the president of involvement with Jeffrey Epstein
-
Trump hits Africa, Middle East with new travel ban
Speed Read The travel ban bars visitors from 12 countries and restricts entry from seven
-
Elon Musk slams Trump's 'pork-filled' signature bill
speed read 'Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong,' Musk posted on X