President Trump

President Trump can't take his CNN grudge out on Jim Acosta by yanking his White House press pass ... at least that's what CNN is asserting in a new lawsuit.

CNN and Acosta are taking the extraordinary step to sue POTUS over last week's fiery showdown during a news conference. According to the suit, CNN believes Trump violated its First Amendment right by revoking Acosta's "hard pass" ... thereby hampering his ability to cover the White House.

In the suit, they say Trump and Sarah Sanders are hiding behind the flimsy argument Acosta accosted an intern who was trying to grab his microphone. They point out the video Sanders posted was apparently doctored, and say even Trump later described the incident as not "overly horrible."

CNN says the "sole justification" for the Administration pulling Acosta's pass is "their dislike for [CNN and Acosta]'s coverage" of Trump.

According to the docs, obtained by TMZ, Trump also violated CNN's 5th Amendment due process rights because Acosta wasn't informed ahead of time his credential was revoked.

In fact, Jim posted video of the Secret Service agent confiscating his press pass. The lawsuit -- filed against Trump, Sanders and Chief of Staff Gen. -- seeks to get Acosta's pass returned, stat.

They're likely facing an uphill battle, though.

Michelle Obama seethed with anger at Donald Trump, saying his false claims about President Obama's birthright could have caused a "kook" to shoot her family.

Michelle's book, "Becoming," is about to be released, and she is extremely candid about her marriage, saying 20 years ago she felt "broken" after suffering a miscarriage. She says they had to do IVF to conceive their 2 daughters.

On the subject of Donald Trump ... Michelle expressed rage, particularly Trump's baseless birther allegation that Barack was not born in the U.S. She says it was absolutely meant to stir up bigotry and xenophobia, "deliberately meant to stir up the wingnuts and kooks."

She goes on ... "What if someone with an unstable mind loaded a gun and drove to Washington? What if that person went looking for our girls? Donald Trump, with his loud and reckless innuendos, was putting my family's safety at risk. And for this, I'd never forgive him."

As for the "Access Hollywood" video, Michelle says when she heard Trump brag about assaulting women ... her "body buzzed with fury."

She also can't believe so many women voted for a "misogynist" after all Trump has said.

And, this is interesting ... she's very open how she and Barack received marriage counseling. She says she has a "phenomenal marriage" and "we work on our marriage. And we get help with our marriage when we need it."

President Trump's relentless attacks on CNN have forced the network to take extreme measures -- offering armed security to on-air talent who have reason to fear for their safety.

Network sources tell TMZ ... CNN brass offered reporters and anchors who have been targets of President Trump around-the-clock protection. We're told the logic is simple ... there are Trump fanatics who believe the President when he calls the media and certain reporters "the enemy of the people," and the fear is that they will take violent action.

There's actual proof here ... the person who sent mail bombs targeted CNN at least twice.

We're told CNN has told the targeted employees they can choose the level of protection they want, ranging from round-the-clock armed guards to more limited security, such as following the personality to and from work.

Trump has repeatedly attacked Don Lemon ... and it doesn't seem like a coincidence a self-proclaimed white nationalist Trump supporter threatened to kill him.

More recently ... a 39-year-old Arkansas man was busted Tuesday for making more than 40 calls to CNN that included death threats aimed at Lemon.

TMZ broke the story ... April Ryan -- a White House correspondent with Urban Radio Networks and well-known CNN contributor -- now has protection after receiving threats over the last few months ... threats which sure seem related to Trump's venom toward her.

Conan O'Brien's laughing his ass off a lot these days, courtesy President Trump and co. -- but the problem is they're also stomping all over the late night host's turf ... according to Conan.

We got COB out in the Big Apple Thursday and asked him to weigh in on the White House yanking Jim Acosta's press credentials after his head-to-head with the Prez. Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders uploaded a vid she said supported the decision -- but the clip is clearly sped up to make it appear Acosta shoved an intern.

Conan's take? Great production skills on the part of Trump's team!

Conan joked with us about how Trump's news conference antics are inspiring his own creativity.

6:37 PM PT -- CNN has come to the defense of Acosta, saying the White House's actions are a threat to our democracy and calling Sanders a liar.

In a statement, CNN said the Trump Administration's decision to strip Acosta's press credential "was done in retaliation for his challenging questions at today's press conference. In an explanation, Press Secretary Sarah Sanders lied. She provided fraudulent accusations and cited an incident that never happened. This unprecedented decision is a threat to our democracy and the country deserves better."

5:03 PM PT -- The White House has pulled Acosta's press credential. Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders released a series of tweets, saying, "President Trump believes in a free press and expects and welcomes tough questions of him and his Administration. We will, however, never tolerate a reporter placing his hands on a young woman just trying to do her job as a White House intern."

She continues, "Contrary to CNN’s assertions there is no greater demonstration of the President’s support for a free press than the event he held today. Only they would attack the President for not supporting a free press in the midst of him taking 68 questions from 35 different reporters."

Finally, she says, "The fact that CNN is proud of the way their employee behaved is not only disgusting, it‘s an example of their outrageous disregard for everyone, including young women, who work in this Administration. As a result of today’s incident, the White House is suspending the hard pass of the reporter involved until further notice."

Donald Trump went for the jugular Wednesday ... calling a CNN reporter unfit for his job and a "terrible person" ... and it didn't end there.

CNN reporter Jim Acosta asked Trump during a news conference about the President's claim there was an impending invasion by people in the refugee caravan.

It got hot almost immediately ... Acosta pressed Trump, and POTUS erupted in anger.

The President tried to shut Acosta down, ordering him to put his mic down, but the next person to ask a question was NBC's Peter Alexander, who defended Acosta. That further infuriated the President.

And, it didn't end there. American Urban Radio Networks correspondent April Ryan tried to ask a question and Trump rudely shut her down.

And then, there's Yamiche Alcindor from PBS NewsHour, who asked Trump about his comment during the campaign that he's a nationalist. When she said that seemed to embolden white nationalists, Trump said she was asking racist questions.

BTW ... another amazing moment -- Trump was asked if he'd comply with the inevitable demand by the House to release his tax returns, and the Prez essentially said it was too complicated for Congress to understand.

Tom Steyer is reveling in the midterm election results after dumping $120 million into Democratic campaigns ... and he's not afraid to rub it in President Trump's face.

We got the billionaire philanthropist Wednesday in Washington D.C., and he was over the moon about Dems taking control of the House of Representatives. Steyer says it's a clear pushback against Trump's administration.

Tom's PAC, NextGen Climate Action, helped flip 12 congressional seats for the Dems.

It wasn't a total blue wave for Tom's wallet. The Cali native invested $14 mil in Andrew Gillum's gubernatorial campaign, and came up short.

Paul Rodriguez -- one of the original Latin Kings of Comedy -- says he's sticking his neck out on this one, but is willing to take the heat ... he's a fan of Donald Trump, although he's had it up to here with his antics.

We got Paul Monday at LAX and asked if he felt his jokes needed to reflect the political climate with Trump openly attacking the Hispanic community ... especially the caravan of migrants heading toward the southern border.

Surprisingly, Paul says no. In fact, he tells us he's actually a Republican ... and mostly backs DT, aside from some harsh language. Check out his explanation on what policies of Trump's he supports and why -- it's pretty enlightening.

Speaking of which ... Paul's got some thoughts on that too, saying we live in a time where one "bad" opinion puts you up on the cross faster than you can say ...

Donald Trump used "Game of Thrones" to warn he was about to impose sanctions on Iran -- and while his supporters might've been amused ... HBO definitely is not.

A rep for the cable network tells TMZ ... "We were not aware of this messaging and would prefer our trademark not be misappropriated for political purposes."

In case you missed it, President Trump tweeted out a meme of himself with a 'GoT'-esque background and font that read ... "Sanctions are Coming."

It's an obvious nod to the hit series' oft-repeated line, "Winter is Coming" ... and it looks like he was trying to portray himself as Jon Snow (or maybe the Mad King?).

Judge Mathis is ripping into President Trump for threatening to withdraw citizenship from children born in the U.S. ... all in the name of keeping Republicans in power heading into the midterm elections.

We got hizzoner Tuesday in NYC, where he gave us his take on Trump's plans to issue an executive order to end the automatic granting of U.S. citizenship to babies born in the U.S. from non-citizens.

Mathis told us he sees right through the tactic, and calls out POTUS for inflaming the immigration issue one week before election day. The judge seems to think most Americans will see things his way come Nov. 6.

He's not alone -- Trump's plan got plenty of immediate backlash, because it's a direct challenge to the 14th amendment ... "All persons born or naturalized in the United States ... are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside."

Congressman Sean Duffy thinks it's grossly unfair to lay blame on President Trump for the bombs sent to political foes of the Prez -- and he had a heated debate with us over it on TMZ Live.

The Republican rep from Wisconsin -- and former 'Real World' star -- joined us Monday to explain why he believes there's a clear double standard from anyone trying to blame Trump for the pipe bombs mailed to prominent Democrats.

The way Sean sees it, suspected bomber Cesar A. Sayoc was crazy long before Trump took office.

Paul Pierce is glad Villanova is refusing to visit Trump's White House to celebrate their NCAA basketball title ... saying the tradition is dumb and overrated.

Nova's coach Jay Wright, announced Thursday the team would not visit 1600 Pennsylvania this year -- as NCAA winning teams have traditionally done for years.

In fact, Villanova visited Obama's White House after winning the title 2016 -- but Wright explained, "Two years ago it was the experience of a lifetime for all of us. It’s just a different time."

Fast forward to Thursday night outside Mastro's Steakhouse in Bev Hills -- where we asked Pierce (who visited George W. Bush's White House with the Celtics in '08) if Nova was making a mistake.

"I think that's overrated," Pierce explained ... "Why you gotta visit the White House? You got your trophy, you won your championship."

Paul tells us it's a digital time -- so a simple congratulatory tweet should more than do the job.

Then, he started questioning why the tradition even started in the first place -- strongly implying the tradition is just dumb and unnecessary.

"I don't know why we go to the White House," Pierce said ... "Why did people even start going there?"

BTW ... when Pierce went to the White House a decade ago -- he called it "truly an honor" and even brought gifts for No. 43.

Sen. Cory Booker, one of President Trump's most outspoken foes, is the latest target of a suspicious package intercepted by law enforcement.

Investigators found the package -- the 11th one this week -- somewhere near Opa-locka, FL according to ABC News. It was addressed to Booker's office in Camden, NJ. There were also 2 other devices found in the New York City area ... one of which was addressed to former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper.

Clapper served under President Obama, and publicly refuted Trump's claim Obama had wiretapped Trump Tower during the campaign.

Officials say the latest devices were not booby-trapped to explode upon opening. The investigation seems to be focusing on a postal facility in Opa-locka because law enforcement believes multiple devices were shipped through there.

Robert De Niro, whose NYC restaurant Tribeca Grill received a device on Wednesday, is trying to use the incident to inspire.

Caitlyn Jenner is doing a full 180 over her previous support of President Trump, now saying she was wrong about the guy ... this in the wake of mounting backlash from the LGBT community.

In an op-ed piece through the Washington Post, Caitlyn says she has come to realize there is simply no getting through to the Trump administration on issues important to her and the trans community.

She says it in no uncertain terms ... "Despite the criticism I received from segments of the LGBTQ community for engaging with this administration, I remained hopeful for positive change. Sadly, I was wrong."

Caitlyn says she went to D.C. to lobby the educate members of Congress over LGBT issues, which sound like they were outwardly successful, but after reports suggesting the Trump administration wants to strictly define gender across the country ... she says she's given up on him.

She goes in on Trump, saying ... "The reality is that the trans community is being relentlessly attacked by this president. The leader of our nation has shown no regard for an already marginalized and struggling community. He has ignored our humanity."

She adds, "He has insulted our dignity. He has made trans people into political pawns as he whips up animus against us in an attempt to energize the most right-wing segment of his party, claiming his anti-transgender policies are meant to 'protect the country.'"

Caitlyn mentions one last clear sign that she's no longer on Team Trump by saying ... "My hope in him — in them — was misplaced, and I cannot support anyone who is working against our community. I do not support Trump. I must learn from my mistakes and move forward."

Ouch.

Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi -- a favorite target of Donald Trump for years -- seems to concede she's on a list of possible targets for the bomber, but she says she's used to it.

We got Pelosi Wednesday night in WeHo leaving Craig's, and her tone was noticeably subdued and conciliatory. She's not putting the blame for the bombings squarely at Trump's doorstep, but she's clear as she can be ... the President's rhetoric has stoked the coals of division and hatred in this country.

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred doesn't seem to think there will be any issues with the World Series champs visiting Trump's White House after the season ... despite all sorts of evidence to the contrary.

Here's what Manfred told the media before Game 2 of the World Series on Wednesday.

"I think as an institution, Major League Baseball has always had the greatest respect for the office of the presidency. That doesn’t change, no matter who’s there."

He continued, "Often we’ve had situations where individuals, players, whatever, don’t agree with all of the policies of the individual that occupies the office. I think the important thing is respect for the office.”

Wishful thinking but probably not realistic ... as Red Sox manager Alex Cora has expressed displeasure with Trump just last month for "disrespecting" his native Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria.

"To be tweeting about 3,000 people [dying] and being efficient, it's actually disrespectful for my country," Cora said. "We see it that way. I know he probably doesn't feel that way."

On the Dodgers side, Magic Johnson HATES Trump -- and has previously compared him to a "dictator."

So, no drama? Yeah right ...

President Trump's attack on the transgender community doesn't have retired Navy SEAL Kristin Beck running scared ... she'll continue doing what she does best -- fight for her life without fear.

Beck -- a transgender woman and former SEAL Team 6 member -- tells TMZ, Trump's assault on her community is part and parcel of what she deals with every day. Fact is, she says when she walks out the door she knows there are people who are so filled with hate they want to kill her.

The former SEAL, with a Bronze Star and Purple Heart, tells us Trump's plan -- enacting a new policy that would cement everyone's sexual identity by their genitalia at birth -- is the action of an angry man.

Check out the vid ... Beck's got a message for every race and gender Trump's attacked, and how they can all band together.