The returning Resistance Media have begun to report on the Trump Administration very much the same way they reported on the previous Trump Administration: with glaring omissions in service of a narrative. In this case, half-reporting on the initial executive orders signed by President Donald Trump.
Consider, for example, the end of the report on executive orders submitted by ABC’s Mary Bruce, who just concluded her tour of duty as Chief Apple Polisher at the Biden White House:
MARY BRUCE: And tonight, President Trump is making good on his promises of retribution against his political opponents. Stripping his former national security adviser John Bolton of his security detail, even though he has faced threats against his life from Iran.
First of all, Trump was crystal clear about his “retribution” being the nation’s success. But Bruce needs that line in order to work the Milley portrait into the report. John Bolton did have his security detail removed, but that wasn’t the only thing he had removed, was it? Was it?
Consider this paragraph from the Day One executive order titled, “Holding Former Government Officials Accountable for Election Interference and Improper Disclosure of Sensitive Governmental Information”:
To remedy these abuses of the public trust, this Order directs the revocation of any active or current security clearances held by: (i) the former intelligence officials who engaged in misleading and inappropriate political coordination with the 2020 Biden presidential campaign; and (ii) John R. Bolton.
The executive order goes on to list, in addition to Bolton, the remaining signatories of the letter (two are deceased), conjured up by Antony Blinken, that falsely denounced The New York Post’s explosive story on the contents of the Hunter Biden laptop as having “all the hallmarks of a Russian information operation”. These signatories are colloquially known as “The Dirty 51”.
It isn’t surprising that Mary Bruce would try to isolate Bolton’s clearance from Bolton’s detail while reporting on Day One executive orders. The Hunter Biden Laptop Disinfo Hoax was the biggest media fraud perpetrated upon the American public, until it was time for the media to collude with the Biden administration and other senior Democrats as they concealed the true scope of Biden’s cognitive decline from public view. Reporting anything related to Hunter’s laptop, even to this day, remains as radioactive as those pieces of graphite on the roof at Chernobyl.
NBC’s executive order roundup focused on immigration, January 6th clemencies, and AI. Again, zero mention of The Dirty 51 losing their clearances. But at least Peter Alexander didn’t try to get too cute by half with a non-omission omission. CBS did separate items on birthright citizenship and J6 clemencies rather than a full rundown.
It’s early on in the Second Trump administration, but it’s already clear that the media have learned absolutely nothing.
Click “expand” to view the full transcripts of the aforementioned reports as aired on their respective newscasts on Tuesday, January 21st, 2025:
ABC WORLD NEWS TONIGHT
1/21/25
6:41 PM
DAVID MUIR: President Trump is taking a record number of executive actions, among them, his declaring an emergency on the southern border. Some of his actions already being challenged in court. At least 22 states suing to block his attempt to limit birthright citizenship. And just moments ago, the president making news on investing in artificial intelligence. Here's our Chief White House Correspondent Mary Bruce tonight.
MARY BRUCE: Tonight, the new Trump administration says targeted enforcement operations are now under way to crack down on violent undocumented immigrants.
DONALD TRUMP: And we're getting them out of the country. We just started that. We're getting them out of the country, and they're going to be gotten out of the country fast.
BRUCE: The president signing a series of executive orders targeting immigration, declaring an emergency at the southern border, allowing him to deploy the military. Moving to shut down asylum admissions. Even ordering an end to birthright citizenship, even though it's protected by the 14th Amendment.
WILL SCHARF: This next order relates to the definition of birthright citizenship under the 14th Amendment of the United States.
TRUMP: Okay. That's a good one. Birthright. That's a big one.
BRUCE: It's a longtime pledge for Trump.
TRUMP: We're the only country in the world that does this with birthright, as you know. And it's just absolutely ridiculous, but you know, we'll see. We think it- we have very good grounds.
BRUCE: But tonight 22 states, from Connecticut to California, filing lawsuits to block the move.
WILLIAM TONG: This is a fundamental right, enshrined in our Constitution for more than 150 years.
ROB BONTA: I have one message for President Trump -- I'll see you in court.
BRUCE: And tonight, President Trump is making good on his promises of retribution against his political opponents. Stripping his former national security adviser John Bolton of his security detail, even though he has faced threats against his life from Iran. And over at the Defense Department, he's trying to erase memory of his former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, General Mark Milley. The Pentagon removing his official portrait, even though it was just unveiled a few weeks ago, David.
MUIR: Mary Bruce at The White House tonight. Mary, thank you.
NBC NIGHTLY NEWS
1/21/25
6:31 PM
LESTER HOLT: Good evening and welcome. We begin tonight with the growing controversy over President Trump's decision to pardon or commute the sentences of more than 1500 defendants who took part in the deadly January 6th attack on The Capitol. Late today, Mr. Trump again defending that action, more than 200 of those serving prison time have already been released. Some of the defendants convicted of assaulting police officers that day. Today those newly freed January 6th defendants were celebrated by some as heroes, while victims of that day's violence expressed a sense of betrayal and even some Republican lawmakers expressed surprise. Senior White House Correspondent Peter Alexander joins us now and moments ago, you had a chance to press the president about those pardons?
PETER ALEXANDER: That's right. President Trump is defending those pardons tonight, as you note, saying he is still a fierce supporter of police officers but tonight the criticism about these sweeping pardons is growing.
But tonight the president’s facing new backlash for pardoning or commuting the sentences of everyone convicted for their actions on January 6th and those still under investigation.
DONALD TRUMP: These are the hostages, approximately 1500 for a pardon. Full pardon.
ALEXANDER: Including those found guilty of assaulting police officers. Four years ago, President Trump condemned the violence.
TRUMP: To those who engaged in the acts of violence and destruction, you do not represent our country. And to those who broke the law, you will pay.
ALEXANDER: The president's move, something his own vice president had recently argued against.
JD VANCE: If you committed violence on that day, obviously you should be padoned.
ALEXANDER: Capitol Police Officer Michael Fanone was assaulted during the riot, and spent today getting protective orders against those who attacked him.
MICHAEL FANONE: The American people elected Donald Trump, knowing full well that he would pardon my attackers. So it is the ultimate betrayal.
ALEXANDER: We pressed the president today.
You would agree that it's never acceptable to assault a police officer, right?
TRUMP: Sure.
ALEXANDER: So among those you pardoned: DJ Rodriguez, he drove a stun gun into the neck of a D.C. police officer who was abducted by the mob that day. He later confessed on video to the FBI and pleaded guilty for his crimes. Why does he deserve a pardon?
TRUMP: Well, I don't know. Was it a pardon? Because we are looking at commutes and we’re looking at pardons.
ALEXANDER: It's a pardon.
TRUMP: Okay. Well, we will take a look at everything but I can say this, murderers today are not even charged.
ALEXANDER: Among those being released, the leaders of two far right groups, the Proud Boys’ Enrique Tarrio and founder of the Oath Keepers militia, Stuart Rhodes, both convicted of seditious conspiracy and other offenses. Rhodes, who had been sentenced to 18 years in prison, speaking shortly after his release.
STUART RHODES: I think it's a good day for America that this being- all the wrongs are being undone. So none of these people should have been here in the first place. None of them were ever tried in a free and fair trial.
ALEXANDER: Jacob Chansley, known as the Qanon Shaman, who pleaded guilty to one count of felony obstruction of an official proceeding, posting: “Thank you President Trump! Now I’m gonna buy some motha (expletive) guns!”
And some Trump allies who support pardons questioned if the president's move was too broad.
RON JOHNSON: I think they were absolutely justified. Again, I don't know all the cases, I certainly don't want to pardon any violent actors.
ALEXANDER: Those pardons among stacks of executive actions already signed by President Trump, including many focused on reversing Biden administration policies. Declaring a national energy emergency to repeal regulations on oil drilling and fossil fuels, and scrapping Biden border policies.
TRUMP: We’re getting rid of all of the cancer. I call it cancer, the cancer, caused by the Biden administration.
ALEXANDER: Overnight, the president posting The White House is “actively in the process of identifying and removing over 1000 presidential appointees from the previous administration that are not aligned with our vision.” Today the administration firing the head of the Coast Guard, Admiral Linda Fagan, the first woman to lead a branch of the U.S. military, relieved of her duties. A senior DHS official tells NBC News Fagan was removed because of leadership deficiencies, including a failure to address border security threats. Tonight, President Trump touting more sweeping changes on his first full day in office. Appearing with top tech CEOS in The White House, including Oracle’s Larry Ellison, announcing a massive $500 billion investment in AI in the U.S. He said it'll create 100,000 jobs.
TRUMP: It’s technology and artificial intelligence, all made in the usa. These buildings- these are big, beautiful buildings.
ALEXANDER: And the president was asked whether he supports Elon Musk buying TikTok.
TRUMP: I would be, if he wanted to buy it, yeah. Larry, let’s negotiate in front of the media (unint)
HOLT: And, Peter, we just learned about new details about the president’s trip to the West Coast.
ALEXANDER: Lester, that’s right. President Trump will travel to Los Angeles this Friday after repeatedly blaming the Democratic leaders there for their response. But Gov. Gavin Newsom invited him and the president just announced an executive order to help bring more water, he says, to Southern California. Lester.
HOLT: All right. Peter Alexander at The White House. Thanks.
