On Wednesday, word leaked out that the FBI’s Inspector General’s office was recommending former deputy director, Andrew McCabe be fired for misleading their investigators who were looking into the handling of the Clinton e-mail investigation. The report hasn’t been made public yet but it comes as the Trump administration was experiencing numerous firings. While ABC, CBS, and NBC had previously hyped such firings, NBC ignored this one as ABC spent more time worried about McCabe’s pension.
ABC’s World News Tonight spend almost two minutes on the McCabe story, one minute and 58 seconds to be precise. Of that time, they spent one minute and eight seconds worrying about McCabe’s pension, and Trump’s tweets about it, since he could be fired just days before he was eligible to receive it. In stark contrast, they only spent a mere 15 seconds on the details of him misleading federal investigators.
“The Justice Department inspector general finding McCabe allowed FBI officials to speak with a reporter about the Clinton foundation probe and then misled investigators who asked him about it. Those close to McCabe say he denies intentionally misleading anyone,” was all Chief Justice Correspondent Pierre Thomas had to say.
ABC anchor David Muir set the tone for the report to be centered on McCabe’s pension in his introduction to the segment. “Also at this hour, we are following what will be a major decision by President Trump's attorney general, Jeff Sessions. Will he fire a top FBI official just days before his retirement,” he fretted. “The FBI's outgoing deputy director, Andrew McCabe, four days from retiring. His pension now at stake.”
The rest of ABC’s time was mostly spent recalling McCabe’s role in the Russia investigation and how he contradicted Trump in a Congressional hearing.
Meanwhile, CBS Evening News gave the most well-balanced report. The segment lasted one minute, 15 seconds. And of that time, they spent 30 seconds on the possibility of McCabe losing his pension/Trump tweets about it and 29 seconds on him misleading the Inspector General.
CBS Justice correspondent Jeff Pegues also gave a detailed rundown of what McCabe was accused of:
Jeff, as you know, Andrew McCabe has been caught up in a high-level investigation by the Department of Justice Inspector General. That probe is about how the FBI conducted its investigation of Hillary Clinton's private e-mail server. The final report is due soon, but according to sources familiar with its conclusions, it says McCabe misled investigators about whether he had talked to a reporter about an FBI investigation into the Clinton Foundation.
NBC Nightly News’ dead silence on the issue came a day after they spent seven minutes and 35 seconds on stories related to administration firings. A big difference was that McCabe wasn’t a Trump appointee.
The relevant portions of the transcripts are below, click expand to read:
ABC
World News Tonight
March 14, 2018
6:35:15 PM EasternDAVID MUIR: Also at this hour, we are following what will be a major decision by President Trump's attorney general, Jeff Sessions. Will he fire a top FBI official just days before his retirement? The FBI's outgoing deputy director, Andrew McCabe, four days from retiring. His pension now at stake. McCabe has been a frequent target of President Trump. And here's ABC's Chief Justice Correspondent Pierre Thomas tonight.
[Cuts to video]
PIERRE THOMAS: It was Andrew McCabe who was thrust into the national spotlight after President Trump fired former FBI director James Comey, McCabe suddenly becoming the acting director of FBI. Soon after, asked on Capitol Hill about a claim made by the White House that morale because of James Comey was low.
(…)
THOMAS: For many months, President Trump publically went after McCabe. Now tonight, there's word McCabe, just four days from retirement, could be fired before he retires.
The Justice Department inspector general finding McCabe allowed FBI officials to speak with a reporter about the Clinton foundation probe and then misled investigators who asked him about it. Those close to McCabe say he denies intentionally misleading anyone.
Tonight, McCabe’s fate lies in the hands of attorney general Jeff Sessions, whose decision could impact whether McCabe receives his full pension after a 22-year career with the FBI. That pension at the center of one of Trump's angry tweets. "FBI deputy director Andrew McCabe is racing the clock to retire with full benefits. 90 days to go?"
[Cuts back to live]
MUIR: All right, so, let's get to Pierre Thomas, live outside the FBI tonight. What are you hearing from your sources, Pierre? What is the A.G. going to do here?
THOMAS: David, no final decision has been made but, so far, in critical moments, Session has often followed the recommendation of career staff, and those officials are recommending McCabe be fired. David?
MUIR: Pierre Thomas tonight. Pierre, thank you.
CBS Evening News
March 14, 2018
6:39:01 PM EasternJEFF GLOR: CBS News has confirmed that Andrew McCabe, once the deputy director of F.B.I., could be fired just days short of his official retirement from the bureau. Jeff Pegues is following this story. Jeff?
JEFF PEGUES: Jeff, as you know, Andrew McCabe has been caught up in a high-level investigation by the Department of Justice Inspector General. That probe is about how the FBI conducted its investigation of Hillary Clinton's private e-mail server. The final report is due soon, but according to sources familiar with its conclusions, it says McCabe misled investigators about whether he had talked to a reporter about an FBI investigation into the Clinton Foundation.
The FBI has recommended McCabe be fired and now it's up to the attorney general, Jeff session, to decide. If McCabe is fired, he could lose his pension. McCabe has been a frequent target of President Trump over the last year. In December the president tweeted, "FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe is racing the clock to retire with full benefits. 90 days to go."
McCabe, by the way, also led the initial stages of the Russia investigation. Within the F.B.I., lying during an investigation is considered a cardinal sin. We did reach out to McCabe, but we have not yet heard back. Jeff?
GLOR: All right, Jeff. Thank you.
