Joe Walsh, a frequent guest on CNN, criticized the network’s recent actions of laying off 200 employees and sidelining Jim Acosta, known for his confrontations with Donald Trump during his presidency.

The former Republican congressman from Illinois took to social media to express his discontent, labeling CNN’s decisions as ‘cowardly’ and praising Acosta for being one of the network’s most fearless hosts.

In a tweet, Walsh voiced his disappointment, stating that if speaking out jeopardized his future appearances on CNN, he did not mind. He accused CNN of unjustly removing Acosta from his show, condemning the network’s actions as cowardly.

‘To demote him to f***ing appease the crybaby in the White House is pathetic. And an abdication of your duty to hold ALL public officials to account. Shame on you CNN. Correct this mistake now,’ Walsh concluded.

Acosta has hosted the 10am slot on CNN since January 2021, and was previously the network’s bulldog Chief White House Correspondent who dragged Trump into repeated debates about whether or not there was an ‘invasion’ at the US-Mexico border.

Executives gave Acosta the chance to host a two-hour show at midnight, an offer he reportedly balked at.

Before the layoffs were confirmed, The LA Times penned a report indicating that Acosta may now ‘exit the network, according to people familiar with his thinking.’

Wolf Blitzer is taking over the 10am slot from Acosta, an 18-year veteran at the network.

Frequent CNN guest and former congressman Joe Walsh slammed the liberal network for laying off 200 employees and sidelining Jim Acosta right as Donald Trump takes office

Pictured: Walsh’s post on X criticizing CNN, which called the network ‘cowardly’ and accused its executives of appeasing Trump

Acosta has been at CNN for 18 years in several different reporting roles. Most recently, he was the 10am morning host and before that, he was the network’s Chief White House Correspondent

A unnamed media executive told former CNN reporter Oliver Darcy that CNN wants ‘to get rid of Acosta to throw a bone to Trump.’

‘Midnight is not a serious offer when his ratings are among the best on the network,’ the executive added. 

One of the most famous interactions between the Acosta and Trump took place on November 7, 2018, when he criticized the president for his characterization of the Central American migrant caravan that was traveling up to the American southern border at the time.

‘They’re hundreds of miles away, though. They’re hundreds and hundreds of miles away. That’s not an invasion,’ Acosta said 

‘You know what? I think you should,’ Trump started to say, pointing at Acosta. ‘Honestly, I think you should let me run the country. You run CNN. And if you did it well, your ratings would be much better.’

As Acosta tried to ask another question, a White House intern hurried over and tried to grab at the CNN reporter’s microphone.

‘Pardon me, ma’am,’ Acosta started to say before Trump once again cut him off. The intern then awkwardly ducked beneath Acosta.

The incident sparked a heated debate online about whether Acosta’s physical contact with the female intern was appropriate. 

Because of Acosta allegedly pushing her away when she went to grab for the mic, his White House press badge was revoked, though it was restored roughly two weeks later.

Pictured: President Donald Trump points at Jim Acosta during a fiery debate the two had on November 7, 2018. The two were arguing about a migrant caravan that was headed up to the US-Mexico border

The spat in the East Room of the White House culminated with a White House intern grabbing at Acosta’s mic after Trump repeatedly tried to cut him off

The layoffs that began this week were first reported in November and followed about 100 cuts the network made over the summer.

At least one big name producer has reportedly learned they’re out of a job on Wednesday, with many more set to be told on Thursday, Status reported. 

Many shows are also rumored to be moving from New York and Washington to Atlanta, where production costs are cheaper, according to CNBC.

Beyond Acosta’s ouster from the airwaves, there have been other shakeups to the TV lineup.

Jake Tapper’s two-hour show will now begin at 5 p.m.; Audie Cornish will host ‘CNN This Morning’ beginning at 6 a.m.; Kasie Hunt will host a new show, ‘The Arena,’ at 4 p.m.; and Rahel Solomon will do a show, ‘5 Things,’ at 5 a.m. 

Unaffected by the downsizing were some of CNN’s highest paid stars including Anderson Cooper – who rakes in $20million a year – Erin Burnett ($6million) and Kaitlan Collins ($3million). 

An insider told DailyMail.com Thursday that they made huge cuts to their TV division because it has become so ‘bloated’ and overstaffed with people who do the bare minimum.

The layoffs are concentrated in CNN’s TV business, where ratings have tumbled as consumers cut off cable and seek other news sources.

Unaffected by the downsizing were some of CNN’s highest paid stars including Anderson Cooper – who rakes in $20million a year – Erin Burnett ($6million) and Kaitlan Collins ($3million)

CNN CEO Mark Thompson defended his decision to layoff 200 workers and promises increased investment but a change in strategy following the Thursday bloodbath

An insider told DailyMail.com Thursday that they made huge cuts to their TV division because it has become so ‘bloated’ and overstaffed with people who do the bare minimum

They will eventually be offset by new hires in digital, where Warner Bros. Discovery is making a $70 million investment, CNN said.

‘This is not a cost-saving exercise, we’re actually leaning in with increased investments,’ CNN CEO Mark Thompson said.

However, a source told DailyMail.com that: ‘Layoffs all the time – they needed to cut the fat.’

CNN’s transformation ‘isn’t and can’t be a single set of changes but a process of investment, experimentation and adaptation that will last years,’ Thompson said in a memo to CNN staff.

‘Our objective is a simple one: to shift CNN’s gravity towards the platforms and products where the audience themselves are shifting.’

However, there is a clear edict for journalists to be more professional and impartial in the second era of Donald Trump.

‘I think we need to quietly and patiently get on with our jobs as journalists,’ he said.

Thompson said he wanted CNN to distinguish itself with hard-hitting journalism and fact-checking to let viewers make up their own minds on issues.

CNN’s ratings have taken a hit since the election of President Donald Trump, a longtime critic of the network.

The network averaged 1.7 million viewers for Trump’s inauguration this week, compared to 8 million for Joe Biden’s inaugural four years ago, though audience can fluctuate based on the political stance of the person being inaugurated.