Wednesday night saw a major escalation in the conflict at the federal courthouse in Portland, Oregon as Antifa terrorists and rioters barricaded federal agents inside the building and tried to set the building ablaze. It was a provocation that could have killed the untold number of agents in the building. Luckily, Antifa failed. But during the Thursday evening newscasts of ABC, CBS, and NBC, the Portland coverage largely evaporated, with only NBC Nightly News daring to downplay the attempted murder.
While the CBS Evening News completely blacked out the violence of the extremist mob, ABC anchor David Muir gave it a speedy 28-second news brief during World News Tonight. Of course, he focused on radical Mayor Ted Wheeler (D) joining the rioters on the frontlines, and hyping how a plume of tear gas wafted in his direction.
“Mayor Ted Wheeler outside the federal courthouse with hundreds of protesters, suddenly engulfed by thick tear gas,” Muir claimed. He then boosted Wheeler’s ridiculous assertion that what they were witnessing was “flat-out urban warfare,” and added: “he saw nothing to provoke that kind of response.”
But Muir immediately proved he and the Mayor were lying, inadvertently admitting: “Protesters setting off fireworks and ripping down protective fencing.” Though, he failed to note the attempted murder and the fact Wheeler was also assailed by the rioters.
The pearl-clutching over Wheeler’s getting tear-gassed was a feature of NBC’s reporting as well.
After noting that peaceful “protesters” had “stormed the federal courthouse” while shooting flares and fireworks (no mention of the rocks and bricks getting thrown, nor the attempts to maim officers by permanently blinding them with powerful lasers), correspondent Erin McLaughlin reported: “Federal agents respond with tear gas. Portland police declared a riot. Among those gassed, Portland's Democratic mayor.”
To her credit, McLaughlin did admit that “Wheeler, who’s also Portland's police commissioner, was booed by protesters, who criticized his leadership of Portland's police.” But she refused to mention that the Portland police had been barred from helping the federal agents even in life-threatening situations, and played a soundbite of Wheeler calling the federal presence in the city “the Trump administration's occupation.”
McLaughlin also boosted the comments of one rioter (though she called them a peaceful “protester”), who was arrest outside the courthouse. “I want to be cared for by members of my own community. We have very little need for policing.’ We need community services,” the woman, Jennifer Lynn Kristiansen told NBC in an annoyingly condescending tone.
But what McLaughlin failed to mention, was that Kristiansen was a Portland-area lawyer who had been charged with assaulting a federal agent. Here's her booking information and mugshot.
McLaughlin still has yet to correct the record and note that the so-called “Portland Moms” she touted earlier in the week have been videotaped taking part in trying to break into the courthouse.
This cover-up of attempted murder by Antifa terrorists was made possible because of lucrative sponsorships from Purina on ABC and Walmart on NBC. They’re contact information is linked if you want to let them know what you think about that. And CBS Evening News has asked viewers to “Text Norah” at this number: (202) 217-1107.
The transcripts are below, click "expand" to read:
ABC’s World News Tonight
July 23, 2020
6:43:13 p.m. EasternDAVID MUIR: And next, to the chaos in Portland, Oregon. The mayor now tear-gassed by federal officers during a protest. Mayor Ted Wheeler outside the federal courthouse with hundreds of protesters, suddenly engulfed by thick tear gas. The mayor now calling it “flat-out urban warfare,” telling The New York Times, he saw nothing to provoke that kind of response. Protesters setting off fireworks and ripping down protective fencing. President Trump also announcing a surge of federal officers to other U.S. cities, he says to fight crime, over the objections of many mayors.
NBC Nightly News
July 23, 2020
7:09:39 p.m. EasternLESTER HOLT: This evening the Justice Department inspector general has opened an investigation into the use of force by federal agents in Portland, Oregon. As that city's mayor found himself in the middle of new violent clashes. More from Erin McLaughlin.
[Cuts to video]
ERIN MCLAUGHLIN: Overnight in Portland, protesters stormed the federal courthouse. Some launching flairs and fireworks over the sealed barricade. Federal agents respond with tear gas. Portland police declared a riot. Among those gassed, Portland's Democratic mayor.
MAYOR TED WHEELER (D): I want to thank the thousands of you who’ve come out to oppose the Trump administration's occupation of our city.
MCLAUGHLIN: But Ted Wheeler, who’s also Portland's police commissioner was booed by protesters, who criticized his leadership of Portland's police. Last night's clashes just the latest since federal agents arrived here to protect federal property. After over 50 days of protests that have included violence against police and looting.
CHAD WOLF (acting DHS secretary): We have the authority to make arrests on individuals that are targeting that courthouse.
MCLAUGHLIN: But late today, the Justice Department's inspector general announced he’ll review use of force complaints against federal personnel here. Protester Jennifer Kristiansen was arrested by federal agents. Like Wheeler, she wants them out.
JENNIFER LYNN KRISTIANSEN: I want to be cared for by members of my own community. We have very little need for “policing.” We need community services.
[Cuts back to live]
MCLAUGHLIN: The inspector general is not only reviewing what happened here in Portland but also the federal response to protesters in Washington, D.C. Lester?
HOLT: All right. Erin, thanks.
