Tuesday’s network morning shows cheered a statement from former President Obama blasting President Trump’s executive action on immigration and praising leftist protesters taking to the streets. Leading off NBC’s Today, fill-in co-host Hoda Kotb hailed: “In his first statement since leaving office, former President Obama is expressing support for the ongoing protests against Trump’s orders, saying they are exactly what he expects to see when American values are at stake.”
In the report that followed, correspondent Peter Alexander proclaimed: “Meanwhile, on the steps of the Supreme Court, Democrats vowed to stand their ground....And this morning, they've got big back up. Former President Obama, just days removed from office, weighing in, rejecting Trump's ban and ‘The notion of discriminating against individuals because of their faith or religion.’”
The reporter added: “Overnight, more rallies in the streets....Through an aide, Mr. Obama praised protestors, saying he’s ‘heartened’ by their engagement.”
At the top of ABC’s Good Morning America, co-host George Stephanopoulos announced: “Former President Obama steps forward, releases an unprecedented statement backing those protesting Trump's crackdown.” Turning to correspondent Cecilia Vega minutes later, he gushed: “...we saw that rebuke from former President Obama, who had said in his final press conference that he would speak out when he thought America's core values are at stake....And, Cecilia, so unusual for a former president to speak out this early in his successor's term.”
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Vega joined in fawning over the move: “It certainly is, George. It's only been 12 days since he’s left office, and he is now speaking out in strong terms....Former president Barack Obama stepping out of the post-presidency shadows and into the fray, speaking to those protesters and also taking a jab at his successor and that immigration crackdown.” She proceeded to recite Obama’s statement.
On CBS This Morning, co-host Norah O’Donnell promoted: “Opponents of the ban also received a boost from former President Obama.” Correspondent Nancy Cordes declared: “As more protests swept across the country, former President Barack Obama broke his silence. In a statement, his spokesman said, ‘The President fundamentally disagrees with the notion of discriminating against individuals because of their faith or religion.’”
Here are excerpts of the January 31 coverage on the three morning shows:
Today
7:00 AM ET
MATT LAUER: Former President Obama also weighing in for the first time. His message to protestors as demonstrations rage again overnight.
(...)
7:01 AM ET
HODA KOTB: In his first statement since leaving office, former President Obama is expressing support for the ongoing protests against Trump’s orders, saying they are exactly what he expects to see when American values are at stake.
(...)
7:02 AM ET
PETER ALEXANDER: Meanwhile, on the steps of the Supreme Court, Democrats vowed to stand their ground.
REP. JERRY NADLER [D-NEW YORK]: We must overcome this little man in the White House who is disgracing our history and disgracing our traditions.
ALEXANDER: And this morning, they've got big back up. Former President Obama, just days removed from office, weighing in, rejecting Trump's ban and “The notion of discriminating against individuals because of their faith or religion.” Overnight, more rallies in the streets, including in Columbus, Ohio, where police used pepper spray to disperse this crowd. Through an aide, Mr. Obama praised protestors, saying he’s “heartened” by their engagement.
(...)
Good Morning America
7:00 AM ET(...)
GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: As former President Obama steps forward, releases an unprecedented statement backing those protesting Trump's crackdown.
(...)7:04 AM ET
STEPHANOPOULOS: More protests overnight as well. We saw that on the steps of the Supreme Court and we saw that rebuke from former President Obama, who had said in his final press conference that he would speak out when he thought America's core values are at stake. ABC's Cecilia Vega has more on this from the White House. And, Cecilia, so unusual for a former president to speak out this early in his successor's term.
CECILA VEGA: It certainly is, George. It's only been 12 days since he’s left office, and he is now speaking out in strong terms. President Trump is speaking out this morning, too. He is on Twitter calling a protest here in Washington by Democratic lawmakers “a mess.”
[ON-SCREEN HEADLINE: Outrage Over Trump’s Travel Ban; Obama Speaks Out Against Immigration Order]
Former president Barack Obama stepping out of the post-presidency shadows and into the fray, speaking to those protesters and also taking a jab at his successor and that immigration crackdown. Saying through a spokesman, “Citizens exercising their Constitutional right to assemble is exactly what we expect to see when American values are at stake.” And also taking a jab at his successor and that executive order, saying he “fundamentally disagrees with the notion of discriminating against individuals because of their faith or religion.” The White House playing defense.
(...)
CBS This Morning
7:06 AM ET
NORAH O’DONNELL: And we'll likely see more protests today against the travel and refugee ban. Democratic lawmakers joined a demonstration on the Supreme Court steps last night. 33 senators co-sponsored a bill to remove the executive order. Opponents filed at least two more lawsuits to block it. Opponents of the ban also received a boost from former President Obama. Nancy Cordes is on Capitol Hill with the protests – are taking center stage. Nancy, good morning.
NANCY CORDES: Good morning. And Democrats took their message to the streets because it is clear that they're not going to get anywhere in the Republican-controlled Congress. Even though about four dozen GOP lawmakers have now expressed either their opposition to their ban or deep concerns.
[ON-SCREEN HEADLINE: Battling the Ban; Democrats Work to Overturn Order as Protests Grow]
PROTESTERS: No ban! No wall!
CORDES: On the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court, thousands joined congressional Democrats in a boisterous rally against the travel ban.
SEN. CORY BOOKER: Do we let love expand or do we let love be beaten by hate?
CORDES: It came an hour after a Democratic attempt to overturn the ban was blocked by senate Republicans.
SEN. TOM COTTON: This is not a Muslim ban, this is a temporary pause of movement from seven countries.
PROTESTER: Trump does want people like me in the United States!
CORDES: As more protests swept across the country, former President Barack Obama broke his silence. In a statement, his spokesman said, “The President fundamentally disagrees with the notion of discriminating against individuals because of their faith or religion.”
(...)
