As NewsBusters previously reported, FBI Director Christopher Wray was repeatedly grilled Wednesday by Republican members of the House Judiciary Committee over the weaponization of the FBI against conservatives. Due to the newsworthiness of the hearing as well as the many viral moments, the question was posed as to whether the three broadcast networks (ABC, CBS, and NBC) would cover the hearing and if so, how would they spin it. Unfortunately, only one of the networks bothered to report on the hearing. And while ABC's World News Tonight covered it, capitol hill correspondent Rachel Scott spun the story to make Wray seem like the victim.
Meanwhile, CBS Evening News and NBC Nightly News couldn't be bothered. Instead, they thought a possible strike by Hollywood actors (CBS), and fearmongering over pro-life legislation in Iowa (NBC) were more important stories.
On ABC, correspondent Rachel Scott wasted no time attempting to paint Wray as a victim of Republican attacks. "Tonight, FBI Director Christopher Wray, who was appointed by Donald Trump, called to testify on Capitol Hill, defending his agency and his record against Republican attacks."
Of course, to claim Wray was a lifelong Republican was just as meaningless as calling former Congresswoman Liz Cheney a lifelong Republican.
In her typical arrogant tone, Scott announced that "House Republicans accusing Wray of weaponizing the agency, criticizing the FBI for searching former President Trump's home in search of classified documents." And in an attempt to discredit GOP claims that the FBI was protecting the Biden crime family, Scott huffed:
Just weeks ago, President Biden’s son Hunter pleading guilty to tax charges and reaching a deal to avoid prosecution on a separate gun charge. And in a heated exchange, Wray, who is a registered Republican, firing back against any allegations he is biased.
Scott ended her report by reading an eye-rolling statement from the FBI Agents Association. "Despite the heated political rhetoric, they will continue to handle themselves with professionalism and integrity," Scott swooned.
Credit where it's due, at least ABC managed to cover the hearing even though they spun it in the corrupt FBI's favor. CBS and NBC couldn't be bothered at all. PBS News Hour covered the hearing as well and did a better job in their coverage than ABC.
This bias by omission from CBS & NBC was made possible by Allstate on CBS and Verizon on NBC. Their information is linked.
To read the transcript click "expand":
ABC’s World News Tonight
7/12/2023
6:41:13 p.m. EasternDAVID MUIR: Now to capitol hill tonight, where FBI Director Christopher Wray was grilled today on the hill. The director who was appointed by former President Trump, but it was the Republicans today who accused him of going after Trump and protecting the Bidens. How he answered. Rachel Scott on the hill for us.
RACHEL SCOTT: Tonight, FBI Director Christopher Wray, who was appointed by Donald Trump, called to testify on capitol hill, defending his agency and his record against Republican attacks.
CHRISTOPHER WRAY: Today's FBI leaders reflect the best of our organization, an organization that is made up of 38,000 men and women who are patriots, professionals, and dedicated public servants, and that is the real FBI.
SCOTT: House Republicans accusing Wray of weaponizing the agency, criticizing the FBI for searching former President Trump's home in search of classified documents.
REP. HARRIET HAGEMAN (R-WY): You have personally worked to weaponize the FBI against conservatives.
SCOTT: But Democrats asking Wray about where that highly confidential information was stored.
REP. MADELEINE DEAN (D-PA): Director Wray, a ballroom, a bathroom, a bedroom. Are those appropriate places to store classified confidential information?
WRAY: Well, again, I don't want to be commenting on the pending case, but I will say that there are specific rules about where to store classified information. In my experience, ballrooms, bathrooms, and bedrooms are not SCIFS.
SCOTT: Republicans accusing Wray of going after Trump but protecting President Biden.
REP. MATT GAETZ (R-FL): Are you protecting the Bidens?
WRAY: Absolutely not.
SCOTT: In fact, just weeks ago, President Biden’s son Hunter pleading guilty to tax charges and reaching a deal to avoid prosecution on a separate gun charge. And in a heated exchange, Wray, who is a registered Republican, firing back against any allegations he is biased.
WRAY: The idea that I'm biased against conservatives seems somewhat insane to me, given my own personal background.
SCOTT: Tonight, the FBI Agents Association issuing a statement in support of Director Wray, saying despite the heated political rhetoric, they will continue to handle themselves with professionalism and integrity.
