President Donald Trump announced Wednesday a series of executive orders that will pave the way for the building of the US-Mexico border wall and the crackdown on sanctuary cities. The Democrats raged at the idea and the Big Three networks took exception to the orders, showing almost exclusively negative reactions. “Here in New York, a massive protest has erupted against his wall plans and policy makeovers,” touted anchor Lester Holt on NBC Nightly News as he handed it off to a reporter at the border.
“In the border town of Nogales, Arizona, the news of Trump's wall spread on both sides of the 20-foot tall iron fence. On the Mexican side, anger,” reported NBC’s Gadi Schwartz, although he did note excitement from the National Border Patrol Council. “Nobody likes Trump over here. Everybody hates him,” said a man from the Mexico side of the fence, while covering his face with a hood and cowl.
The NBC reporter talked with two women on the American side of the fence who chatted with loved ones on the other side. “And today on the US side, families coming to speak to those they wish they could hug without metal bars,” Schwartz noted, “Many asking why Mexicans should have to pay for a wall they don't want.”
He also talked with a young man who sounded more-or-less indifferent to the wall. “We don't feel like traitors for helping Trump. It's a wall that's going to bring us a lot of prosperity economic wise,” he argued after calling the wall a joke. Schwartz only talked with one rancher who supported the wall.
In all, Schwartz talked with four people against the wall (including a police lieutenant), one who didn’t care either way, and only one supporter. Clearly not the definition of balanced.
On CBS Evening News, they hyped the resistance of sanctuary cities to follow the president. “When it comes to taking on President Trump's immigration policy, California has drawn a line in the sand,” declared reporter Carter Evans. He praised Governor Jerry Brown’s denouncement of Trump’s plan, where governor stated, “Let me be clear, we will defend everybody!”
Evans highlighted Los Angeles’ Mayor Eric Garcetti who “has instructed police not to enforce immigration laws.” “Even if it threatens federal funding in Los Angeles? You stand to get up to $500 million this year,” Evans asked him.
The mayor’s plan seemed to be to hold the nation’s safety hostage, and he seemed almost proud to say, “These are dollars that protect our port, our airport, and keep homeless veterans off the streets.” “You're saying pulling funding from LA could actually hurt the rest of the country,” Evans added.
ABC’s World News Tonight spotlighted new protests in New York City and outside the White House, while also showcasing Seattle, Washington’s resistance to Trump’s orders.
Neither CBS nor ABC gave any time to supporters of Trump’s orders. All three drew upon the fear people have for Trump to make it seem like every immigrant was being rounded up soon. Even though Trump has said on numerous occasions, officials will start with criminals and then take a lighter approach to the rest.
Transcripts below:
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NBC Nightly News
January 25, 2017
7:07:24 PM EasternLESTER HOLT: There are reactions around the country this evening to President Trump's actions on immigration. Here in New York a massive protest has erupted against his wall plans and policy makeovers. And to the south, our Gadi Schwartz found a mix of responses in one of the places most profoundly affected along the border the president wants to seal with that wall.
[Cuts to video]
GADI SCHWARTZ: For over a thousand-mile stretch, the Texas border has no walls, no fence. Every day along the Rio Grande, border patrol agents intercept a surge of mostly women and children from Central America crossing in rafts seeking refuge from violence. Today the National Border Patrol Council applauding President Trump's plan saying now they can do their jobs.
In the border town of Nogales, Arizona, the news of Trump's wall spread on both sides of the 20-foot tall iron fence. On the Mexican side, anger.
UNIDENTIFIED MAN: Nobody likes Trump over here.
SCHWARTZ: Nobody likes Trump.
MAN: SCHWARTZ: And today on the US side, families coming to speak to those they wish they could hug without metal bars.
UNIDENTIFIED WOMAN: It's going to be hard to see again. Or maybe never see again.
SCHWARTZ: Many asking why Mexicans should have to pay for a wall they don't want.
UNIDENTIFIED WOMAN 2: I think it's ridiculous. It separates the family and then it's a just a waste of money.
UNIDENTIFIED MAN 2: It's kind of a joke to us.
SCHWARTZ: At the Central Plaza in Laredo, Texas, some Latinos joke about the wall. They don't think it will be effective, but they may take the work it brings.
MAN 2: We don't feel like traitors for helping Trump. It's a wall that's going to bring us a lot of prosperity economic wise.
SCHWARTZ: Along the 2,000-mile US - Mexico border reactions to the wall are mixed. In Fort Hancock where a fence stops in the middle of farmland, ranchers, Trump supporters, welcome the idea.
UNIDENTIFIED MAN 3: I think we need to stop people from coming in illegally.
SCHWARTZ: But the Lieutenant Lasro Delgado with the sheriff's office has his doubts. Do you think that Trump can build a wall?
LASRO DELGADO: I don't know. I don't see it. When I see it, I'll believe it. It's going to be too much money.
...
CBS Evening News
January 25, 2017
6:34:54 PM EasternSCOTT PELLEY: Another executive order signed today cracks down on so-called sanctuary cities. There are hundreds of them that use local ordinances and policies to shelter illegal immigrants from federal law enforcement. Carter Evans is in Los Angeles.
[Cuts to video]
CARTER EVANS: When it comes to taking on President Trump's immigration policy, California has drawn a line in the sand.
JERRY BROWN: In California, immigrants are an integral part of who we are and what we've become.
EVANS: Governor Jerry Brown’s message week was blunt.
BROWN: Let me be clear, we will defend everybody! Every man, woman, and child who has come here for a better life and has contributed to the well-being of our state.
EVANS: California has 18 sanctuary cities. Brian Abarca was born in Mexico and brought to the US at age three. Are you worried you will get pulled over for speeding one day, though, and end up getting detained?
BRIAN ABARCA: Yes, that's everyday life.
EVANS: He lives in Los Angeles where Mayor Eric Garcetti has instructed police not to enforce immigration laws. Even if it threatens federal funding in Los Angeles? You stand to get up to $500 million this year.
ERIC GARCETTI: These are dollars that protect our port, our airport, and keep homeless veterans off the streets.
EVANS: You're saying pulling funding from LA could actually hurt the rest of the country.
GARCETTI: No question.
PEDRO TRUJILLO: There's anxiety going around. There's a lot of worry.
EVANS: Pedro Trujillo's parents, both undocumented immigrants, brought him to the US when he was seven.
TRUJILLO: Are there going to be raids coming our way in the coming months? We don't know that yet.
EVANS: But you're prepared to stand up and fight back?
TRUJILLO: Well, we have to be prepared because this is our only country. This is our only home.
...
