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CNN's Jim Acosta to Huckabee Sanders: 'That's the Third Briefing You've Not Taken a Question From CNN'

March 5, 2018

CNN chief White House correspondent Jim Acosta on Monday was visibly irritated when White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders didn't call on him to ask a question during the daily briefing.

The situation arose after Playboy White House correspondent Brian Karem asked Sanders a final question about former communication director Anthony Scaramucci's comments about morale being low at the White House.

"I definitely would not agree. I think we are in  a great place with women–an incredible story to tell. It's been a historic first year. We're continuing to focus on the things that President Trump campaigned on. We're excited about what we've done and where we're going and we're going to continue working hard for the American people," Sanders said.

The press secretary then signaled the briefing was over, prompting Acosta to shout out a question as she was walking out.

"Sarah, can I ask a question? Sarah, that's the third briefing you've not taken a question from CNN. Do you expect the Justice Department to enforce all subpoenas, Sarah?" Acosta asked. Acosta's question was posed in the wake of former Trump campaign aide Sam Nunberg saying Monday he would not obey a subpoena to appear in front of a federal grand jury investigating Russia’s interference in the 2016 presidential election.

Sanders was already walking offstage when Acosta tried to ask his question.

"Third press briefing in a row that @PressSec did not take a question from CNN. #courage," Acosta tweeted after the briefing.

This is not the first time Acosta, who has garnered attention for frequently interrupting and clashing with Trump administration officials, has complained about not being called on during a press briefing and then tweeting about it. Acosta expressed similar frustration in January, saying it was "bizarre" how the press secretary "keeps avoiding questions."