GMA Highlights GWU's Turley: Court Ruling Could Lead to Bush Impeachment

Friday’s morning shows largely preferred the JonBenet Ramsey case over yesterday’s district court ruling declaring the National Security Agency’s terrorist surveillance program to be unconstitutional. NBC’s "Today" and CBS’ "The Early Show" limited their reporting on the issue to brief anchor reads, as did their evening news counterparts, as the MRC’s Brad Wilmouth previously reported.

"Good Morning America," however, did devote more than a few seconds on the topic, with ABC’s Jessica Yellin reporting from the White House. In her report, Yellin never acknowledged the liberal background of Judge Ann Diggs Taylor, who, Yellin pointed out, "accuses the President of acting like a king" and says the NSA program "blatantly disregards" the parameters established in the Bill of Rights. Yellin labeled the court’s decision a "stinging setback" for President Bush, and highlighted this warning to the President from George Washington University law professor Jonathan Turley :

Jonathan Turley: "He could be impeached. And people should not be underestimating that. It's true that this Congress does not want to--"

This statement seemed to go a bit to far for Yellin, who appeared skeptical:

Yellin: "Come on. He's not going to be impeached for this program."

Turley: "Well the question--that is a political question."

The full transcript of Yellin’s report follows:

Kate Snow: "We begin to--with a major blow to President Bush's war on terror. A judge found wiretapping without a warrant was unconstitutional. The administration is appealing. ABC's Jessica Yellin joins us with more. Good morning, Jessica."

Jessica Yellin: "Good morning, Kate. This is a stinging setback for the President and the way he's defending the nation against terrorists. In this ruling, the federal judge essentially accuses the President of acting like a king and she orders him to stop the program soon. President Bush is passionate about the NSA spy program."

President George W. Bush: "I believe I've been hired by the people to do my job and that's to protect the people and that's what I'm going to do."

Yellin: "But federal judge Anna Diggs Taylor says it's illegal. The President cannot authorize the NSA to eavesdrop on phone calls in the U.S. without a court warrant, even in the war on terror. She says the program blatantly disregards the parameters clearly enumerated in the Bill of Rights. Political reaction to the ruling was fierce. Senate majority leader Frist urged quick reversal of this unfortunate decision and the White House says they couldn't disagree more with the ruling. But an outspoken critic of the program warns of serious consequences if the ruling is upheld by higher courts."

Jonathan Turley: "He could be impeached. And people should not be underestimating that. It's true that this Congress does not want to--"

Yellin: "Come on. He's not going to be impeached for this program."

Turley: "Well the question--that is a political question."

Yellin: "Now, this morning, one White House official just dismissed the critics and said that the administration is confident the decision will be overturned on appeal. Now, right now the NSA wiretap program is still active and in place, at least until further court action. Kate?"

Snow: "Jessica Yellin at the White House this morning. Thank you."