CNN is still stuck on both sides-ism when it comes to reporting on the failed assassination attempt of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. It could even be argued that New Day Weekend went beyond both side-ism on Saturday and used the attempt to highlight violence from the other side.
Hosts Christi Paul and Boris Sanchez began the segment by highlighting the security needs of justices and with Sanchez teeing up a Nick Watt report on the subject.
Watt began by reporting the would-be assassin was arrested “carrying a Glock pistol and zip ties, says the FBI. Planning to kill Kavanaugh. He found the address online.”
A clip was then shown of retired chief inspector for the U.S. Marshals, John Muffler declaring that, “The nine justices, all nine justices are in danger because that information is out there.”
And where did that information come from? CNN never said. Instead, Watt did his best Whitney Wild impression, “According to the complaint, he was upset about the leak of a recent Supreme Court draft decision regarding the right to abortion. ‘The public disclosure 2 May prompted a significant increase in violent threats” reads a DHS memo circulated last month. ‘Some of these threats described burning down or storming the U.S. Supreme Court and murdering justices and their clerks.’”
Against a backdrop of old news footage, Watt continued, now using the occasion to highlight that “Abortion has long fueled fury since the Roe v. Wade decision nearly 50 years ago. Anti-abortion extremists have carried out multiple bombings and murders.”
Reverting back to both sides-ism, Watt added, “Now, the DHS since the leak of that draft opinion that could Roe v. Wade also fears pro-abortion rights extremist violence. So, there is now a high fence around the highest court in the land.”
It is almost impossible to mention that a failed attempt to assassinate a liberal judge would have resulted in so much denunciations of “both sides.” Instead, we would’ve gotten much talk about how the GOP needs to watch its tone.
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Here is a transcript for the June 11 show:
CNN New Day Weekend with Christi Paul an Boris Sanchez
6/11/2022
6:48 AM ET
CHRISTI PAUL: Well, next week the House will vote on a Senate passed bill that enhanced security for Supreme Court justices and their families.
BORIS SANCHEZ: The bill's purpose was brought into sharp focus this week after an armed man was arrested near Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s home. That suspect is being charged with attempting to kidnap or murder the Supreme Court justice. CNN’s Nick Watt has more on the heightened threats against members of the judiciary.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY POLICE RADIO: He came from California, he took a taxi from the airport to this location.
WATT: To Justice Brett Kavnaugh’s home, carrying a Glock pistol and zip ties, says the FBI. Planning to kill Kavanaugh. He found the address online.
JOHN MUFFLER: The nine justices, all nine justices are in danger because that information is out there.
WATT: According to the complaint, he was upset about the leak of a recent Supreme Court draft decision regarding the right to abortion. “The public disclosure 2 May prompted a significant increase in violent threats” reads a DHS memo circulated last month. “Some of these threats described burning down or storming the U.S. Supreme Court and murdering justices and their clerks.”
Abortion has long fueled fury since the Roe v. Wade decision nearly 50 years ago. Anti-abortion extremists have carried out multiple bombings and murders. Now, the DHS since the leak of that draft opinion that could Roe v. Wade also fears pro-abortion rights extremist violence. So, there is now a high fence around the highest court in the land.
