Fox News announces it's supporting CNN's lawsuit against the Trump administration for revoking Jim Acosta's press pass

AP Photo/Evan Vucci

In this Nov. 7, 2018, photo, CNN journalist Jim Acosta does a standup before a new conference with President Donald Trump in the East Room of the White House in Washington.

• Fox News announced Wednesday it is supporting CNN in the network's lawsuit against the Trump administration's revocation of White House correspondent Jim Acosta's press credentials.
• The announcement was a stunning move for the cable news network whose on-air personalities have often criticized both CNN and Acosta.
• Fox News president Jay Wallace accused the Trump administration of weaponizing press credentials, and criticized both President Donald Trump and the media for adopting a "growing antagonistic tone" at recent press conferences.

Fox News has thrown its support behind CNN's lawsuit against the Trump administration to win back White House correspondent Jim Acosta's press credentials, in a stunning move for the cable news network whose on-air personalities have often criticized both CNN and Acosta.

Fox News president Jay Wallace said in a statement that the company will file an amicus brief - also known as a friend-of-the-court brief - with the US District Court in support of CNN.

Wallace also accused the Trump administration of weaponizing the press passes by depriving a CNN journalist of one.

"FOX News supports CNN in its legal effort to regain its White House reporter's press credential," Wallace said in his statement. "While we don't condone the growing antagonistic tone by both the President and the press at recent media avails, we do support a free press, access, and open exchanges for the American people."

In a statement Wednesday morning, CNN thanked Fox News for its support.

CNN filed its complaint on Tuesday, arguing that revoking Acosta's press pass would violate his First Amendment rights to a free press, and his Fifth Amendment right to due process.

"If left unchallenged, the actions of the White House would create a dangerous chilling effect for any journalist who covers our elected officials," the complaint said.

Read more: CNN filed a First Amendment lawsuit against the Trump administration for revoking Jim Acosta's press pass

The Trump administration responded to the suit on Wednesday arguing that the First Amendment doesn't grant Acosta the right to enter the White House, and that the Trump administration has "broad discretion" to revoke press credentials.

The dispute over Acosta's press pass came after a combative exchange between Acosta and President Donald Trump at a press conference last week.

After arguing about Acosta's question on the migrant caravan traveling to the US, Trump called Acosta a "rude, terrible person."

A White House intern eventually attempted to grab the microphone from Acosta's hand, though he twisted away from her and held on.

Read Fox News' full statement below:

"FOX News supports CNN in its legal effort to regain its White House reporter's press credential.

"We intend to file an amicus brief with the U.S. District Court. Secret Service passes for working White House journalists should never be weaponized.

"While we don't condone the growing antagonistic tone by both the President and the press at recent media avails, we do support a free press, access and open exchanges for the American people."