A pair of reporters from the conservative Right Side Broadcasting Network covering former President Donald Trump’s rally for Pennsylvania GOP candidates Dr Mehmet Oz and Doug Mastriano left Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene hanging mid sentence when they saw the gubernatorial candidate arrive at the event.
Ms Greene was discussing campaign tactics and running through a litany of right-wing talking points with the reporters when Pennsylvania’s GOP gubernatorial candidate Mr Mastriano arrived on scene.
“Traditional GOP, traditional ‘Republican Parties’ usually want to keep the outsiders away, but we have got to keep people to keep coming, successful people —” Ms Green said before a cheering crowd attracted the attention of the reporters.
One of the RSBN reporters broke off from Ms Greene and ran over to try to catch Mr Mastriano, calling out to him by name.
“Oh,” Ms Greene said as the reporters broke off and ran toward Mr Mastriano.
Ms Greene spoke later that night at the Wilkes-Barre rally, repeating Mr Trump’s fraudulent claims that the 2020 election was stolen from him.
“You wanna know something else, Pennsylvania? President Trump won the 2020 election,” she said. “That’s right, we know President Trump won.”
That claim has been debunked multiple times after several Republican-led vote audits efforts confirmed that Joe Biden won the election. Mr Biden ultimately won Pennsylvania in 2020.
Mr Mastriano also praised the former president — who has endorsed him in the state’s governor’s race — calling him a “champion on 9/11.” The former president famously bragged after 9/11 that his building was the largest tower in Manhattan once the Twin Towers fell his building was the largest in the city. That statement was also incorrect.
Mr Trump, for his part, spent a rambling two hours in which he railed about the FBI seizure of classified government documents from his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida and repeated claims that he won the election.
The former president claimed, falsely, that he “ran twice, won twice” and teased that he “may just have to do it again,” though he still has not officially announced his candidacy in the 2024 presidential election.
Reporters Without Borders said an investigation it published Wednesday found evidence that Russian forces killed a Ukrainian photojournalist, along with a soldier accompanying him, in a forest near Kyiv in March.
Maksym Levin, whom colleagues called Max, was found dead in April after friends lost contact with him in March. The photojournalist — who had worked for organizations including Reuters, the BBC and Ukrainian outlets — had been reporting near the front lines around the capital, from which Russian forces later retreated.
He is one of at least eight journalists killed doing their work during nearly four months of Russia’s war in Ukraine, Reporters Without Borders said.
The press freedom group, known by its initials in French as RSF, sent two investigators to Ukraine to gather evidence about Levin’s death on the northern outskirts of Kyiv.
These are the journalists killed during Russia’s war on Ukraine
The probe, including at the site of Levin’s charred car, indicated the two men “were executed in cold blood by Russian forces, probably after being interrogated and tortured,” RSF said Wednesday, citing photos, testimonies, bullets it collected from the site and other information it gathered.
“The evidence against the Russian forces is overwhelming,” it said.
There was no immediate comment from Moscow.
The 40-year-old Levin — survived by four young sons, as well as his wife and parents — had covered the conflict between Ukrainian forces and Russian-backed separatists in the eastern Donbas region since 2014.
He had wanted to be a photographer since age 15, according to Ukrainian online media outlet LB.ua, where he had worked. His colleagues recalled that Levin once said: “Every Ukrainian photographer dreams of taking a photo that will stop the war.”
After its findings, RSF said it has “not been able to answer all the questions” that remained, but it detailed two scenarios based on the evidence and hoped its reconstruction of events could one day lead to the perpetrators.
RSF said it counted 14 bullet marks in the car and recovered the identity papers of Levin’s friend, Ukrainian soldier Oleksiy Chernyshov, whose body was burned. A gasoline jerrycan and Levin’s helmet were nearby.
Photos from April showed a bullet impact on the photographer’s chest and two in his head, the investigation report added. It said the two were probably searching for Levin’s camera drone when they were killed.
A Ukrainian search team discovered a bullet buried in the ground where Levin’s body was found and spotted what was a Russian position about 230 feet into the forest, which it could not approach because of the possible presence of explosive devices, RSF said. The findings indicate the bullets that hit Levin were “fired from a close range when the journalist was already on the ground,” it said.
In Bucha, the story of one man’s body left on a Russian killing field
The report said that while Levin may have at times provided images from his drone to Ukrainian forces, the use of his equipment was “above all journalistic in nature.”
The group said it shared evidence with Ukrainian investigators and could not confirm whether authorities had performed autopsies, which it described as vital to investigating the deaths.
Fighting had gripped the outskirts of the Ukrainian capital, near where Levin was reporting, before Russian forces shifted their focus to the east more recently. Their withdrawal revealed evidence of war crimes including bodies in the streets, burning and torture. The Kremlin has denied the accusations.
In a post sharing Levin’s work shortly after his death, a Politico journalist described him as thoughtful and also a talented writer.
“He was brave, talented, and dedicated to covering this story,” Christopher Miller wrote. “He talked about peace more than war.”
The 2022 NFL draft is just two weeks away (Round 1 begins April 28 at 8 p.m. on ESPN and ABC) and there are still many questions about how all 32 teams will approach the draft.
And no wonder why. This year’s wild free agency filled holes for some teams and created major needs for others. Plus, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ offseason strategy altered entirely when Tom Brady decided to not retire after all.
So will the Green Bay Packers, with two first-round picks after the Davante Adams trade, forgo their strategy of not drafting receivers in the first round? Will the Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Detroit Lions or Pittsburgh Steelers try to draft a quarterback early … or wait until 2023?
What will the New York Jets and New York Giants do with two top-10 selections apiece? And how will the teams with no first-round picks try to upgrade?
No one knows for certain what any of the 32 teams will do, but our NFL Nation reporters have a pretty good idea. Below, NFL draft analysts Matt Miller and Jordan Reid — who outlined every team’s needs last week — asked 32 questions of our reporters, one per team.
Consider this an early look at what each team is thinking two weeks away from Round 1, sorted by division:
Jump to a team: ARI | ATL | BAL | BUF | CAR | CHI | CIN CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GB | HOU | IND JAX | KC | LAC | LAR | LV | MIA | MIN NE | NO | NYG | NYJ | PHI | PIT | SF SEA | TB | TEN | WSH
AFC EAST
Reid: Will the Bills entertain the possibility of taking a running back in the first round because of their need in the backfield?
It certainly is not out of the question. The Bills clearly feel like running back is a need — they attempted to sign J.D. McKissic — and adding Duke Johnson in free agency isn’t enough to fill the missing piece. Buffalo has the flexibility in the draft to go after the player who best adds to the roster. A dynamic back would be a valuable addition, although history hasn’t been kind to drafting the position in the first round. General manager Brandon Beane was in the Panthers’ front office that drafted Christian McCaffrey eighth overall in 2017. — Alaina Getzenberg
Reid: The Dolphins don’t pick until the last selection of the third round (No. 102 overall). What position(s) could they target there?
Dolphins general manager Chris Grier went to work this offseason, shoring up the team’s dismal offensive line from a season ago, adding one of the best receivers in the league in Tyreek Hill and infusing their running backs room with talent — all while retaining every defensive starter from last season. Miami is truly in a position to take the best player available, but should prioritize inside linebacker and interior offensive line. — Marcel Louis-Jacques
Reid: Now that the team has acquired DeVante Parker, could wide receiver still be in play or will another position be targeted at No. 21 overall?
Wide receiver is still in play if that is the way the board falls, with the key consideration that Nelson Agholor and Jakobi Meyers — two of the top returning pass-catchers — are scheduled for unrestricted free agency after the 2022 season. One thing to consider, however, is that in his prior 22 drafts with the Patriots, Bill Belichick has selected a first-round receiver just once (2019, N’Keal Harry). — Mike Reiss
Reid: After an aggressive attempt to trade for Tyreek Hill, do you foresee a wide receiver being selected at No. 10 overall?
Assuming the Jets don’t trade for a veteran by the draft, yes, it is a possibility. The top candidates are Drake London, Garrett Wilson and perhaps even Jameson Williams. But it is not a sure thing, especially not with two picks near the top of Round 2. With a deep receiver class, they could find a comparable talent in the second round. General manager Joe Douglas won’t reach for a need at No. 10 if better players are available. — Rich Cimini
AFC NORTH
Reid: Which position will the Ravens fill at No. 14 overall knowing they still need help in the trenches and at cornerback?
The Ravens have to select the best available pass-rusher or cornerback. Baltimore’s biggest need is at outside linebacker because Tyus Bowser tore his Achilles in the season finale and Za’Darius Smith backed out of an agreement in free agency. There’s also a void at cornerback where there is no depth outside of Marlon Humphrey and Marcus Peters, both of whom suffered season-ending injuries last season. — Jamison Hensley
Reid: Since the Bengals upgraded their offensive line in free agency, what other position could they target at No. 31 overall?
It makes sense for the Bengals to look at cornerbacks in the first round. Cincinnati has two veterans in Eli Apple and Chidobe Awuzie, but could use a young player who can be a long-term starter in 2022 and beyond. Cincinnati has never been shy about taking corners toward the end of the first round. — Ben Baby
Reid: With Deshaun Watson now at quarterback, is drafting a receiver early a possibility or will general manager Andrew Berry look to add elsewhere?
Wide receiver is the position to watch for the Browns in the draft. Cleveland did trade for Amari Cooper this offseason, but this group still needs work to unlock potential chunk plays in the passing game. The Browns don’t have a first-round pick after the Deshaun Watson trade, but they could select a potential starter in the second round, or look to trade up in what is shaping up to be a strong receiving draft class. — Jake Trotter
Reid: Could the Steelers trade up for a quarterback or will they look to address another position in the first round?
The Steelers have been adamant that free-agency moves won’t preclude them from adding to a position in the draft — and that includes quarterback. But, it seems unlikely that the Steelers would move up to grab one. They have traded their first-round pick only six times in the common draft era. The Steelers could still draft a quarterback in the first, but the board would have to fall the right way to make it happen. Otherwise, look for the team to draft best player available, with an emphasis on defensive back, wide receiver, inside linebacker and defensive line. — Brooke Pryor
AFC SOUTH
Miller: With the No. 3 overall pick, are the Texans in “best player available” mode or will it be a pick to fill a need?
The answer has to be best player available. The Texans have so many holes in their roster that general manager Nick Caserio shouldn’t be picky about which positions of need he is filling. After trading Watson, Caserio said he didn’t want to eliminate any position in the draft, including quarterback. While it seems unlikely the general manager would use one of Houston’s top picks on a quarterback, just about every other position is fair game. — Sarah Barshop
Miller: Without a first-round pick, how do the Colts solve their need at left tackle?
Expect the Colts to look in-house first to try to address the departure of veteran Eric Fisher at left tackle. Matt Pryor will get the first crack at protecting Matt Ryan’s blindside. “He’s a young player we think has a lot of talent,” general manager Chris Ballard said on the “Pat McAfee Show” last season. Pryor, 28, is a versatile offensive lineman who can play tackle and guard. — Mike Wells
Miller: Aidan Hutchinson is a favorite for the No. 1 overall pick, but what should Jacksonville look for at pick No. 33?
If the team is serious about taking the “build around Trevor Lawrence” approach, then a receiver or an interior offensive lineman should be the focus here. The Jaguars did add Christian Kirk and Zay Jones in free agency, but adding another pass-catcher — especially an outside receiver — is another investment in Lawrence. However, the Jaguars need to beef up the interior line, so using No. 33 to fill a need there would also make sense. — Michael DiRocco
Miller: Wide receiver has been a hot mock draft pick for the Titans, but is the offensive line more of a first-round target?
Yes, the offensive line is more of a target because the Titans have two starting spots up for grabs. Tennessee would like 2021 second-round pick Dillon Radunz to take one of the vacant starting spots. This year’s receiver group is pretty deep so the Titans could take a wideout later in the draft. Whoever they select isn’t likely to get an abundance of targets behind A.J. Brown, Robert Woods and Austin Hooper. — Turron Davenport
AFC WEST
Miller: What does an ideal early draft look like for the Broncos, who don’t have many on-paper needs?
Even after trading for Russell Wilson, the Broncos have eight picks in the draft — five of those over the first 116 picks. They need some help with cornerback, edge rusher, linebacker, a right tackle prospect and possibly an impact returner. But cornerback should be the priority since the quickest way to watch your defensive plan crumble in today’s NFL is to be unable to handle the inevitable injuries at cornerback, or be unable to show variety in your nickel and dime packages because you don’t have the players to do it. — Jeff Legwold
Miller: Will general manager Brett Veach and coach Andy Reid use picks Nos. 29 and 30 or is a trade possible?
A trade does seem more likely than not. The Chiefs also have two picks in each of the second, third and fourth rounds. They can easily move for a player or players they like and Veach likes to deal. He traded the Chiefs’ first-round pick in two of the past three years and has traded up in the second round a couple of times since his first draft as GM in 2018. — Adam Teicher
play
2:40
Stephen A. Smith and Dan Orlovsky have differing levels of interest in the Chiefs’ upcoming slew of draft picks.
Miller: Should the Raiders go all-in on the defensive side of the ball in this draft?
And here we are at the need vs. best player available argument again, right? There’s no doubt the Raiders, who don’t have picks in the first or second rounds (Las Vegas gave them to Green Bay for Davante Adams), need to go all-in on the defensive side of the ball in the draft. But how many difference-makers can be found there at the end of Day 2 and Day 3? And as new coach Josh McDaniels said at the NFL owners meetings, the Raiders would go with the best player, even if it means drafting three straight players at the same position. That works … if all three are defensive players, right? — Paul Gutierrez
Miller: It feels like it is offensive tackle or bust for the Chargers in Round 1, but what other positions are a need for L.A.?
Yes, the Chargers have added to their pass rush (Khalil Mack) and pass defense (J.C. Jackson), but after having the 30th-ranked rush defense, they also need help down low and in the trenches. A run-stuffing and gap-eating defensive tackle would foot the bill here. But would Georgia’s Jordan Davis still be there at No. 17 overall? — Paul Gutierrez
NFC EAST
Reid: Which positions could the Cowboys target early to replenish the talent lost on the roster?
Regardless of the players they lost, it is obvious where the Cowboys will be looking: offensive line, wide receiver and defensive line. They lost Connor Williams, Amari Cooper, Cedrick Wilson and Randy Gregory at those spots in either a trade or during free agency, and the offensive line remains the one spot they have yet to replenish in free agency. They added wideout James Washington and pass-rusher Dante Fowler Jr. as outside free agents, but their additions will not prevent the Cowboys from adding a player at their position even early in the draft. — Todd Archer
Reid: With three picks in the top 36, what could general manager Joe Schoen identify to build this roster the way he wants to construct it?
The Giants absolutely have to address the offensive line, specifically offensive tackle. But, really, almost anything applies. “We have enough needs on the roster to take the best player available,” Schoen said recently. And he is not kidding. Edge rusher and cornerback also should be at the top of his list. — Jordan Raanan
Reid: With two first-round picks, will the Eagles entertain the idea of selecting a receiver for the third consecutive year?
They tried to trade for Calvin Ridley before his suspension and went after free-agent receivers, signalling their desire to upgrade the position. The big-money contracts handed out to veteran receivers of late should further incentivize teams to look for lower-cost options in the draft. So sure, I think the Eagles will entertain drafting a receiver in the first round if the stars align, but I’d put defensive line and defensive back as the more likely positions they’ll address early, with receiver in play on Day 2. — Tim McManus
Reid: Where are the Commanders’ biggest holes, and what could they look for in Round 1?
Receiver is definitely on the list. Carson Wentz needs another target. But they also love their Buffalo nickel package and want someone to replace Landon Collins in the safety/linebacker hybrid role — but that makes sense only at No. 11 if Kyle Hamilton is available. Cornerback would make sense, as would linebacker, though with them using fewer three-linebacker sets it is hard to envision. Finally, coach Ron Rivera has often said how important it is to not only give a quarterback players to throw to, but you then have to protect him. — John Keim
NFC NORTH
Reid: Could the Bears double-dip at wideout in the second round to give Justin Fields more options?
The Bears have picks at Nos. 39 and 48 and could be in play for receivers Skyy Moore, George Pickens or John Metchie III at either of those spots. General manager Ryan Poles likes how deep the middle rounds of the draft appear to be, so it’s possible Chicago ends up walking away from Day 2 with two receivers by selecting one in the second round and another in the third. Because the Bears have only six picks, the team could look to create more if the opportunity presents itself. Therefore, it’s possible Chicago takes a receiver in the second and trades back with its additional second-round pick to create more draft capital to use in later rounds. — Courtney Cronin
Reid: Jared Goff is under contract for two more years, but will Brad Holmes entertain the idea of selecting a QB with either the No. 2 or No. 32 overall picks?
I’m sure the Lions will likely entertain the possibility of picking a quarterback, just like with any other positions. But I seriously don’t think they’ll take that risk — at least not right now. Detroit sees Goff as their guy, but that could change next year depending on how this season goes. The Lions need their first-round picks to come in and contribute immediately and won’t have the time to develop a young quarterback — particularly in a class that isn’t considered to be great by draft experts. — Eric Woodyard
play
0:42
Jordan Reid predicts the Lions will rebuild with Malik Willis.
Reid: With two selections on Day 1, will general manager Brian Gutekunst abandon the organization’s philosophy of not drafting wide receivers in the first round in order to replace Davante Adams?
Doesn’t the streak have to end this year? In fact, it wouldn’t be a total surprise if the Packers used first- and second-round picks on receivers. They haven’t added a receiver since Adams was traded. — Rob Demovsky
Reid: Cornerback is an obvious need for the Vikings, but what are other positions general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah could try to take in the first round?
Another area of need for the Vikings is offensive guard. Ezra Cleveland is an established starter on one side, but the Vikings’ attention during free agency at the position suggests they are concerned about the other. They signed three veteran guards — Jesse Davis, Chris Reed and Austin Schlottmann — but none can be considered slam-dunk starters. — Kevin Seifert
NFC SOUTH
Miller: If the Falcons don’t draft a quarterback in Round 1, where will they go?
The Falcons can really go anywhere — and I wouldn’t necessarily lock them into a quarterback at the moment. They are in a rebuild in which the franchise needs help at literally every position. So if they believe a quarterback is the best value at No. 8, they would go that direction. But wide receiver, edge rusher, interior defensive line and offensive line are possibilities, without question. The only way Atlanta goes quarterback is if management is completely convinced the player could be the Falcons’ guy for the next decade. Otherwise they need too much help elsewhere. — Michael Rothstein
Miller: Are the Panthers desperate enough at quarterback to draft one at No. 6 overall?
Desperate might be a little strong, but yes. They made it obvious that Sam Darnold isn’t the answer by their pursuit of Deshaun Watson and interest in other quarterbacks. General manager Scott Fitterer has said there are a couple of quarterbacks in this year’s class worthy of a top-10 pick. The Panthers were at the pro days of Kenny Pickett (Pittsburgh), Malik Willis (Liberty) and Matt Corral (Mississippi), and are having each in for official visits. Carolina hasn’t used a first-round pick on a quarterback since Cam Newton in 2011 — and since then the Panthers have used only one draft pick total on a quarterback.. — David Newton
play
0:51
Todd McShay and Mel Kiper Jr. makes the argument for Kenny Pickett over Malik Willis for the Panthers with the sixth pick.
Miller: After trading to add another first-round pick, what two positions are ideal for the Saints to land in Round 1?
The Saints should target wide receiver and left tackle. Obviously the quarterback position will be in play, too, until the Saints lock into their next long-term solution. But they plan on making a playoff run this year and need to give Jameis Winston reinforcements to help revive last year’s 32nd-ranked passing offense. They need another premium pass-catcher alongside the returning Michael Thomas and a long-term replacement at left tackle. — Mike Triplett
Miller: The Bucs drafted for future needs in the early rounds last year. Will we see a similar strategy with Tom Brady coming back?
Because the Bucs re-signed all 22 starters on offense and defense last year, they were able to look toward the future and focus on bolstering special teams. But this year, they have a glaring need along their interior defensive line without Ndamukong Suh and are looking thin at edge rusher without Jason Pierre-Paul, so I would start there. Then the Bucs should address guard with Shaq Mason being the only sure starter and tight end, because Rob Gronkowski hasn’t yet committed to playing in 2022 and O.J. Howard departed for the Bills. — Jenna Laine
NFC WEST
Miller: It seems like offensive line is a guaranteed first-round pick, but is there another direction the Cardinals could go?
Picking an offensive lineman is far from guaranteed for the Cardinals considering how many offensive options they lost in free agency. If the lineman is the best option by far there, then it could be a good choice. But Arizona needs playmakers, so a wide receiver would be the other move at No. 23. The Cardinals need to give quarterback Kyler Murray all of the targets if they want to get back to the playoffs and beat the Rams. Chase Edmonds and Christian Kirk have moved on, and A.J. Green is still a free agent. Those three account for a significant chunk of the Cardinals’ offensive production last year. They will be getting DeAndre Hopkins back this season, but he needs others to complement him. — Josh Weinfuss
Miller: The Rams don’t have a selection until late in Round 3; what’s the one position they have to hit on in this draft?
The Rams have as good of a roster as there is in the NFL at the moment and without a selection until the third round, they’ll have a bit more pressure to hit on a pick. Their primary needs in the draft are offensive line — with Andrew Whitworth retiring and Austin Corbett leaving in free agency — and cornerback, with Darious Williams leaving. If the Rams can hit on either of those two — or both — they could find themselves with more depth, which could come in handy in December, January and February. — Josh Weinfuss
Miller: Should the 49ers use early picks (they have two in Round 3) to build around Trey Lance or plug holes in the secondary?
Even after signing cornerback Charvarius Ward, the Niners could still use some help in the secondary (namely strong safety and nickel corner). But their resources are better spent helping Lance. Specifically, the 49ers would be wise to use some meaningful draft capital on the offensive line for help at guard, a future option at center and possibly even another tackle with Mike McGlinchey entering the final year of his rookie deal. One more spot to watch? Edge rusher, where this regime has never been shy about continuing to add and the draft boasts plenty of potential. — Nick Wagoner
Miller: With three picks in the top 50 selections, what positions need the most attention in Seattle?
Offensive tackle is the most glaring need, though the Seahawks could potentially bring back Duane Brown and/or Brandon Shell, as both former starters remain unsigned. The Seahawks did enough in free agency to not have to force a pick at edge rusher or cornerback, but they could still use a difference maker at either spot. They don’t view quarterback as being as big of a need as observers might because they’re high on Drew Lock’s potential. — Brady Henderson
Some commentators have compared the invasion in Ukraine to crises in other countries.
In one instance, a CBS reporter said Ukraine is “civilized” compared to countries like Iraq and Afghanistan.
Groups like the Arab and Middle Eastern Journalists Association have called on reporters to check their implicit bias.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine resulted in a sadly familiar sight of thousands of people fleeing the violence – a sight mainly seen in Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, and other Middle Eastern and African countries in the past few decades.
However, for some watching the latest crisis unfold, reporting on the chaos showed a double standard.
Remarks made by CBS foreign correspondent Charlie D’Agata over the weekend were one example that prompted pushback from other reporters and policy figures. In a live segment from Kyiv, D’Agata said Ukraine was “a relatively civilized, relatively European” place, unlike countries such as Iraq or Afghanistan.
—Imraan Siddiqi (@imraansiddiqi) February 26, 2022
“But this isn’t a place, with all due respect, like Iraq or Afghanistan, that has seen conflict raging for decades,” he said. “You know, this is a relatively civilized, relatively European – I have to choose those words carefully, too – city where you wouldn’t expect that or hope that it’s going to happen.”
Observers – including the Arab and Middle Eastern Journalists Association – noted that remarks by D’Agata and other media reporters comparing the crisis in Ukraine to others in the Middle East did not meet journalistic standards and projected implicit biases.
“AMEJA condemns and categorically rejects orientalist and racist implications that any population or country is ‘uncivilized’ or bears economic factors that make it worthy of conflict,” the organization said in a statement. “This type of commentary reflects the pervasive mentality in Western journalism of normalizing tragedy in parts of the world such as the Middle East, Africa, South Asia, and Latin America. It dehumanizes and renders their experience with war as somehow normal and expected.”
D’Agata on Saturday apologized for his remark.
“I spoke in a way I regret, and for that I’m sorry,” he said in a segment. D’Agata said he was attempting to convey that Ukraine unlike other countries hasn’t seen “this scale of war” in recent years.
Mahdis Keshavarz, an AMEJA board member, told Insider the group’s statement wasn’t meant to detract from the plight of Ukrainians but instead to hold journalists accountable for biased commentary.
“This is an attempt to hold journalists accountable, to do their jobs properly, and to raise the bar of how reporting is done. And that’s what is fundamental, because it’s a disservice to the Ukrainian people who we stand in full solidarity with, and it’s a disservice to the countless other people who are on borders elsewhere in the world, including in Poland but aren’t Ukrainian or have the luxury of being European,” Keshavarz said.
She added that it’s an attempt “to kind of shine a light and hold a mirror to these newsrooms to say: ‘listen, your staff is Middle Eastern. You have access to people and if you don’t, you need to diversify your newsroom, but you’ll also need to really look at your own biases and what’s happening here and then do your job properly.'”
It’s not just reporters making xenophobic remarks in the face of this crisis. The New York Times reported that on Friday, Bulgarian Prime Minister Kiril Petkov said his country would join a growing list of European nations opening their doors to Ukrainians fleeing. However, while speaking with reporters, Petkov highlighted the differences between these refugees compared to previous ones.
He said these migrants were “Europeans,” and “not the refugees we are used to,” adding that they’re “intelligent” and “educated” and unlikely to spread terrorism, the Times reported.
“There is not a single European country now which is afraid of the current wave of refugees,” Petkov said.
Keshavarz said over the past few decades repeated wars in the Middle East have caused desensitization to the crisis happening there.
“We have been dehumanized to an extent where the assumption is that one, we’re not civilized,” she said, adding that these remarks have even come from reporters who spent years covering and living in the Middle East but still don’t see the region as a civil place.
“Two is that I think there’s become this implicit bias and people make the assumption that we are inherently violent and therefore we’re used to it,” Keshavarz added. “That’s just something that’s part of the fabric of our nations or the fabric of our societies. And that’s just a fallacy, but what it is showing that’s very deeply concerning is that this mentality is so pervasive in these newsrooms that these articles and these statements and this kind of commentary makes it by unchecked.”
From the very first question, it was clear Wednesday that President Biden was facing a different White House press corps:
“Did you overpromise the American public what you could accomplish in your first year in office?”
Biden, of course, said no, if anything he had outperformed. He had tried to preempt the critical questions in his opening remarks, boasting of 210 million people vaccinated, more than 6 million new jobs and 3.9% unemployment. He acknowledged the frustrations of COVID, and flatly admitted he should have ordered home tests earlier but said they’re doing more now.
President Biden gestures during a news conference in the East Room of the White House, Jan. 19, 2022, in Washington. (Getty Images)
Biden went nearly two hours, as if to stage a marathon to neutralize criticism that he avoids dealing with the press. He was unusually crisp, for him, though he rambled at times, and was largely in command of the facts, as if to defy detractors who portray him as muddled and confused.
Strangely, Biden made yet another pitch for his $2 trillion spending bill, which is at best on life support.
Not buying
The press wasn’t buying. ABC reporter Mary Bruce asked, “Do you need to be more realistic and scale down these priorities?” And she followed up by telling Biden his strategy wasn’t working.
The Democratic president tried to shift the blame to the GOP, saying he “did not anticipate” that Republicans would make a “stalwart effort … to make sure President Biden didn’t get anything done.” If that’s the case, he was badly out of touch with today’s partisan realities and was failing to listen to Mitch McConnell. At another point, he said of McConnell: “What’s he for?”
CBS’s Nancy Cordes pressed him: “Now that your legislation appears to be hopelessly stalled, can you lay out your strategy to protect voting rights?”
Biden challenged the premise of one reporter’s question about school closings, saying at least 95% of schools remained open.
Many asked more routine issue questions: “Hasn’t the U.S. and West lost all of its leverage over Vladimir Putin?” “Aren’t you simply limited to what you can do with inflation?”
Soft-pedaling
And some questions were clearly soft-pedaled. CNN’s Jeff Zeleny asked whether Biden believed he’d done enough to restore public faith in the competence of government – but not questioning the administration’s competence.
NBC’s Kristen Welker was one of the most aggressive, saying among other things: “I spoke to a number of Black voters who fought to get your elected, and they feel you’re not fighting hard enough for them.”
Once Biden decided to keep on going, he recognized Peter Doocy. The Fox reporter asked: “Why are you trying so hard in your first year to pull the country so far to the left?” Biden said he was no Bernie, just a mainstream Democrat.
The president dismissed a question from Newsmax’s James Rosen, about why a Politico poll shows significant numbers of voters questioning Biden’s mental fitness, with this: “I have no idea.”
AS BIDEN STRUGGLES, TRUMP SKEWERS HIS FAVORITE MEDIA AND POLITICAL TARGETS
Meanwhile, as the White House touts a planned “reset,” everyone and his brother is weighing in with analysis and advice for what Biden needs to do to right the ship.
This is not a moment in time when the press can be accused of going easy on the president. While some journalists are focusing on the administration’s earlier accomplishments, nearly everyone acknowledges that Biden is in serious political trouble.
Fire the manager?
As with a losing baseball team, there are always calls to fire the manager.
New York Times columnist Bret Stephens says that based on “political incompetence,” it’s clear that “the president needs a new team, starting with a new chief of staff.”
He argues that “Ron Klain is a loyal assistant. But the president needs a chief of staff who’s a peer — what James Baker was to George H.W. Bush or Howard Baker to Ronald Reagan. What’s Tom Daschle up to these days?”
President Biden answers questions during a news conference in the East Room of the White House, Jan. 19, 2022 in Washington. (Getty Images)
But the Twitter-wise Klain may be the most politically savvy official in the White House, given his experience on the Hill and Justice Department and his work for two vice presidents, Biden and Al Gore. I don’t know that some former senator-turned-lobbyist would be more attuned to the warfare of 2022. While Klain has to share responsibility for the missteps, his removal is extremely unlikely.
SUBSCRIBE TO HOWIE’S MEDIA BUZZMETER PODCAST, A RIFF OF THE DAY’S HOTTEST STORIES
Klain is out there doing some interviews. Asked by the Wall Street Journal about discussions to salvage smaller pieces of the Build Back Better behemoth, he said: “One lesson we learned in the first year is, I think, the less we talk about our negotiations with specific senators and congressmen, the better we are, so I’m going to say our talks with Sen. Manchin will proceed directly and privately.
Legislative morass
Politico says the endless Hill meetings “left Biden appearing, at times, as president of the Senate rather than the nation as a whole, as his administration became bogged down in the legislative morass. Republicans, with few exceptions, were eager to play obstructionists and polling suggested a nation nervous about inflation also wanted Biden to scale back.”
President Biden answers questions during a news conference in the East Room of the White House, Jan. 19, 2022, in Washington. (Getty Images)
Every president has an inside and outside game. Biden, the classic Washington creature, allowed himself to be drawn into endless talks with the Manchin/Sinema tag team, got whipsawed by House progressives, and came up empty after months of wrangling. Instead of declaring victories for what he pushed through earlier, he and his team ratcheted up expectations way too high.
But his outside game has consisted of mainly mundane daytime speeches and pretty dogged avoidance of the media. The lack of interviews and the paucity of pressers means the president has essentially turned off the megaphone that only he possesses.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
It’s fine for the White House “reset” spinners to say Biden will connect more with ordinary Americans. But he also needs to pound home a convincing message for the midterms, and that means using that megaphone rather than waiting nearly three months to hold his next news conference. And maybe the next one can go long as well.
There is great joy and likewise utter misery in choosing streaming options.
As fantasy managers, we’ve all been there. You get caught short at a position because of injuries, COVID-19, bye weeks, etc. Suddenly you’re scanning the waiver wire looking at projected points and matchups, trying to choose between players you know very little about. In some cases their coaches don’t know how they’ll play either.
Of the running backs who played on Thanksgiving Day, a few were primary streaming options this week. In New Orleans, Tony Jones Jr. figured to play a big role with both Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram unable to go. And while Jones did get 16 carries, a nice volume for a streaming option, which is half the battle, he wasn’t targeted in the passing game and rushed for only 27 yards. And 2.7 fantasy points does not a great streaming option make.
As it turns out, the better streaming option from the Saints was Ty Montgomery. He got six carries and seven targets in the passing game that resulted in five receptions. He mustered only 45 yards, but put it with the receptions in a PPR league and Montgomery was a much better option than Jones.
ESPN fantasy sports researcher Kyle Soppe, who is responsible for our 32 questions, noticed all of the interesting happenings on Thursday, and has questions about Montgomery as well running backs you possibly streamed such as Matt Breida of Buffalo and Tony Pollard of Dallas.
Riding byes this week are Kansas City and Arizona. So questions about the respective West Division leaders will resume next week. Away we go.
AFC EAST
Is Matt Breida’s role in this offense something we should expect to continue to grow?
Yes, but more production doesn’t mean he will be seeing the field as much as a top running back. This version of the Bills’ offense will never have a true No. 1 back, but Breida is certainly seeing an uptick in opportunities and has brought much-needed speed. He has scored at least one touchdown in two of the last three games and is primed to continue to have more opportunities. — Alaina Getzenberg
It has been every other week for Myles Gaskin. After 23 carries on Sunday, can we finally count on him for consecutive good games?
You can count on him for a good workload — and you can work with that in fantasy football. Miami’s win in Week 11 marked Gaskin’s fifth straight game with at least 12 carries and 15 total touches. Even more promising? He has 17 red-zone touches over the past three weeks — 12 of which came inside the 10-yard line. With Malcolm Brown not expected to return this week, Gaskin should be the Dolphins’ unquestioned RB1 yet again. — Marcel Louis-Jacques
If you have to pick one running back from this offense the rest of the way, who would it be?
Damien Harris. While rookie Rhamondre Stevenson is coming on strong, and a case could be made for him to be the choice, Harris is still 1A, and experience tilts the needle in his direction ever so slightly. Rushing touchdowns this season: Harris 7, Stevenson 3. — Mike Reiss
Elijah Moore seems to be coming into his own. Do you expect his growth to continue this season? How good can he be in 2022?
Moore could be the Jets’ WR1 in 2022, ahead of Corey Davis. That’s how much the organization thinks of him. He has 24 receptions, 336 yards and four TDs over the last four games. Don’t be surprised, though, if his production dips temporarily. QB Zach Wilson, who returns from a four-game knee injury, didn’t have much success with Moore early in the year; Davis was his go-to receiver. It may take some time before Wilson and Moore build their chemistry. — Rich Cimini
play
2:00
Matthew Berry and Field Yates break down Elijah Moore’s emergence as a top-scoring fantasy wide receiver in recent weeks.
AFC NORTH
Safe to label Devonta Freeman as the leader of this backfield for Week 12? For the rest of the season?
Absolutely for Week 12, and most likely for the rest of the season. Freeman has shown the most burst of all the Ravens running backs signed to help fill the void of the injury-filled backfield. It was noticeable when Freeman still received 60% of the running back carries, even after Latavius Murray returned from his ankle injury. Ravens coach John Harbaugh has always talked about going with the hot hand, and Freeman is the hottest of the backs. But, if he slows down, Baltimore could turn to Murray, who is more of an inside-the-tackles runner. — Jamison Hensley
play
1:26
Field Yates and Matthew Berry break down Devonta Freeman’s recent success in fantasy.
That’s three high-usage games out of four for Tyler Boyd. Do you think he can sustain consistent, albeit low upside, value moving forward?
The Bengals have been very hard to predict. What we believed the offensive philosophy might be this season has shifted and adapted throughout the course of the season. There does seem to be some optimism about Boyd maintaining his current usage rate. Bengals coach Zac Taylor took the blame for Boyd’s two-target outing against Cleveland in Week 9. Bengals QB Joe Burrow called Boyd his comfort blanket, which will always make him a valuable resource. — Ben Baby
D’Ernest Johnson was an afterthought with Nick Chubb back; safe to cut ties with him if the roster spot is needed?
Yes, safe to cut ties with Johnson. Especially with Chubb’s wingman, Kareem Hunt, on the way back from the calf injury. — Jake Trotter
Sunday night was Chase Claypool’s best game in over a month; safe to call him healthy and poised for a strong finish to the season?
He’s healthy, but it’s hard to trust any Steelers receiver’s fantasy output. Ben Roethlisberger likes to spread the ball around, though Diontae Johnson and Claypool are the two he trusts the most. Still, the Steelers utilize Najee Harris in the run game, and Pat Freiermuth has been coming on strong in recent weeks, too. Claypool is worth keeping around on a fantasy team if there’s a bench spot because he could get hot, but it’s too soon to tell just how strong he’ll finish the season. — Brooke Pryor
AFC SOUTH
Brandin Cooks has found producing difficult lately; does it continue, or can he regain his early season form?
Don’t expect Cooks to replicate what he did in the first three weeks — coach David Culley said “it wasn’t intentional” for Cooks to have such a high target share early in the season — but his numbers should be somewhere in the middle. Culley said teams are doubling Cooks way more as the season has gone on, but given the receiver’s chemistry with Tyrod Taylor, his production should increase. — Sarah Barshop
Make your case for Jonathan Taylor as the top overall pick next season.
The numbers don’t lie. Taylor not only leads the NFL in rushing yards (1,122) by nearly 200 yards over the injured Derrick Henry, he leads the entire league in yards from scrimmage (1,444) by more than 300 yards over the next-closest player — Rams receiver Cooper Kupp (1,136) to go with 13 total touchdowns. Enough said. — Mike Wells
play
2:07
Field Yates and Matthew Berry react to Jonathan Taylor’s five-touchdown performance for the Colts on Sunday.
Do you think James Robinson can take advantage of a favorable upcoming schedule?
That depends on how banged up he is. He’s dealing with heel and knee injuries, and unless the Jaguars shut him down for a couple weeks he’ll have to battle through them every week. You could see in last Sunday’s game against San Francisco that Robinson doesn’t have the same burst through the line of scrimmage that he did before the injury. Another issue for Robinson is the Jaguars are having a hard time consistently moving the ball and are falling behind by double digits, which effectively takes the run game out of play. — Michael DiRocco
Does any Titans running back need to be rostered?
No! Don’t be fooled by how the Titans collectively topped 100 yards rushing last week. That came against a Texans’ defense that was allowing 136 rushing yards per game entering last week. D’Onta Foreman and Dontrell Hilliard have flashed, but they’ll continue to be part of a committee. The stats simply aren’t relevant enough to warrant rostering any Titans back, especially with no one emerging as a candidate to get 15+ carries. — Turron Davenport
AFC WEST
Is Courtland Sutton going to see more looks, or will his low production/usage in games with Jerry Jeudy active continue?
If the Broncos really self-scouted during the bye and stick to what they do best on offense, Sutton’s productivity should increase. But it’s up to the Broncos. If they put quarterback Teddy Bridgewater under center more, use play action more, they will have more success pushing the ball down the field in the passing game. In the win over the Cowboys they had a season-best 190 yards rushing, as well as their only game of the season with multiple completions of more than 40 yards. If they run the ball a little more, the opportunities for Sutton to have impact out of the play action will rise. — Jeff Legwold
Are you buying DeSean Jackson as a weekly upside threat (102 yards, but tied for fifth on the team in targets on Thanksgiving)?
Once on Thanksgiving and twice on Sundays. Jackson was signed to bring that big-play possibility and production, and produce he did at Dallas. The trust is there with QB Derek Carr, who said it was “fun” to throw the soon-to-be 35-year-old wide out the ball. And with another old NFC East rival in Washington up next, that chip on Jackson’s shoulder will only loom larger. — Paul Gutierrez
Are you buying the chunk run plays we saw Sunday night from Justin Herbert as a real part of his game moving forward?
Not necessarily, but it worked well in this instance and his sliding game was on point. If the gaps are there and the defense is giving it to him, he proved what an asset his wheels are. But little of that was by design. — Shelley Smith
NFC EAST
Give us your best guess for average touches per game moving forward for Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard.
If the Cowboys were in a 60-40 split between Elliott and Pollard for a good spell earlier in the season, it will now be closer to 50-50. But don’t confuse this with any ineffectiveness from Elliott. He is dealing with a bone bruise in his knee that is limiting him. He is trying to play through it, and the Cowboys are managing his workload if not so much his snap count. With a longer break after next Thursday’s game vs. the Saints, the Cowboys hope that will serve as a mini-bye for Elliott. The running game as a whole, however, needs to improve. Aside from a 31-yard run vs. the Chiefs, Pollard’s yard per carry average is not much different than Elliott’s. — Todd Archer
What are your weekly touch expectations moving forward for Saquon Barkley on a 3-7 team?
Barkley played 32 snaps (59.3%) and had 12 touches in Tampa Bay following a six-week absence. It would have been more if it wasn’t a blowout in the fourth quarter. Barkley should creep closer to 20 touches and 75% of the snaps on Sunday in Philadelphia. Expect his role to increase only as he gets healthier. It should mean for some big games. — Jordan Raanan
play
2:34
Field Yates, Stephania Bell and Matthew Berry react to Saquon Barkley’s performance in the Giants’ loss to the Buccaneers.
The backfield rotation seemed to vary by quarter. Do you expect any RB to earn the feature role, or is this a committee that will be more of a headache than anything?
Miles Sanders is the starter when healthy and will get the bulk of the snaps, but Jordan Howard has earned a role and could siphon a lot of the touchdowns given his effectiveness as a short-yardage back. Howard is expected to be out at least this week because of injury. However, Boston Scott could be featured given his success against the Giants in the past (222 rush yards, 5 TDs in 4 games). — Tim McManus
Antonio Gibson looked like “the guy” in Week 10, not so much in Week 11. Moving forward, can we count on him for 15 touches a game, or is it going to vary weekly?
Actually, he looked a lot like “The Guy” in Week 11 — in the second half, that is. That’s when he gained 76 of his 95 yards, following a three-series benching at the end of the first half after he had fumbled. The fumbling issues will be worth watching down the stretch; he has fumbled five times this season, losing three. If it continues to happen, beware. Short of that, yes you can expect 15 touches a game — provided his shin holds up. They like how Gibson is running – more physical, pressing the hole better. They’ve found an offensive identity and it centers around their run game. The other backs — J.D. McKissic and Jaret Patterson — have shown they can be effective. But Gibson remains the primary focus. — John Keim
NFC NORTH
Cole Kmet’s role is on the rise: Can we count on him weekly to produce viable numbers?
I think so. Kmet is a viable member of the offense who is a proven pass-catcher. Unfortunately, he often got lost in the shuffle earlier in the season because the Bears were such a mess on offense. Kmet, however, has emerged over the past couple of weeks and I see no reason for that to change. To clarify, he isn’t going to put up eye-popping statistics. But viable numbers? Absolutely. — Jeff Dickerson
How many touches should we expect from Jamaal Williams if D’Andre Swift were to miss time?
On average, even with Swift, Williams is already seeing a little over 12 touches per game. On Thanksgiving, he got 15 carries for 65 yards with another five receptions for 18 yards, so that would be around the number I would expect him to see if Swift were to remain out. Although he’s not as gifted as Swift, he has proven that he’s more than capable of carrying that load as a dual threat, if necessary. — Eric Woodyard
Anything to the heavy Marquez Valdes-Scantling usage against the Vikings, or was it simply a one-week matchup thing?
Allen Lazard’s absence due to a shoulder injury helped get him more in the plan. Also, MVS’ hamstring injury finally appears to be completely healed. He could have trouble this week, though, because all the injuries on the offensive line might force Aaron Rodgers to get the ball out much faster, which means fewer deep-ball chances for MVS. — Rob Demovsky
Minnesota’s final four games of the season: Bears (twice), Packers and Rams. Can Kirk Cousins be a top-10 QB over that valuable stretch?
Yes. Cousins ranks top 10 in all the major passing categories (passer rating, QBR, completion percentage, yards, touchdowns) and his 21-2 touchdown-to-interception ratio is insanely good. Mike Zimmer wants his quarterback to keep “going for the jugular” despite throwing two near-interceptions versus Green Bay, and if Cousins can keep the Vikings’ offense humming with this new-found aggressive attitude (PFF has him ranked fourth in expected points added), Minnesota should fare well against two bottom-half defenses in Chicago and Detroit. — Courtney Cronin
NFC SOUTH
Would the return of Calvin Ridley help Kyle Pitts, or would it further hurt his upside by taking targets off his plate?
A return of Calvin Ridley — which is anything but certain as Arthur Smith had no update Monday even though Ridley is now eligible to return off the NFI list — would be beneficial to Kyle Pitts. While it might shrink his target share, it would give Atlanta three players defenses must account for every play — Pitts, Cordarrelle Patterson and Ridley. That alone could leave Pitts in some single-coverage situations, which might lead to more breakout plays. Right now, Pitts is the main target for defenses in the intermediate and deep passing game, and it has shown in his — and Atlanta’s — production. — Michael Rothstein
Is Cam Newton back to being a viable option?
Well, he had two touchdowns on only eight plays in his first outing, and he followed that with two touchdown passes and one rushing touchdown in his first full game. So YES. He’s a viable option. The more he learns this offense the more dangerous he should be. — David Newton
play
1:40
Matthew Berry explains why he thinks Cam Newton is a borderline QB1 as long as he has the starting job in Carolina.
Can Ty Montgomery work into a weekly role if at least one of Alvin Kamara/Mark Ingram is injured?
No, I think he would need both to be sidelined to make a significant fantasy impact, and I expect one or both to be back next week. But if they do both remain out, Thursday night was a reminder that Montgomery might be just as valuable as Tony Jones Jr. in PPR leagues. And the seven-year vet does deserve credit for being a reliable emergency option at both RB and WR. Remember, he ran for 105 yards in Week 17 last year when the rest of the RB room was wiped out by COVID. — Mike Triplett
Leonard Fournette has impressed as a pass-catcher all season, but his usage is peaking. Can he sustain 6-8 targets per game moving forward?
As long as opposing defenses are hell-bent on stopping the big play downfield — which they have been all year — we’ll continue to see more of Fournette in the short passing game as he’s who Brady trusts the most in the Bucs’ running back room. — Jenna Laine
NFC WEST
The second most productive pass catcher in this offense moving forward will be …
Van Jefferson. Prior to Odell Beckham Jr.’s signing and the season-ending knee injury to Robert Woods, quarterback Matthew Stafford had been looking more often to target the second-year pro and the two have connected on short, intermediate and deep throws. Watch for Stafford to continue to connect with Jefferson, who can be depended on to run crisp routes and hang onto the football. — Lindsey Thiry
A great season for Deebo Samuel is getting better with his usage in the backfield. Can we count on that continuing?
Yes. Here’s the thing, Elijah Mitchell has earned the right to be the team’s primary ball carrier when healthy, but he has struggled to do that. And the Niners love racking up the rushing attempts, so it only stands to reason they’ll keep handing it to Samuel as part of that plan. If nothing else, it’s a guaranteed way to get the ball in the hands of their best player, and that’s always a good thing. — Nick Wagoner
Is there a single player in this offense we can trust right now?
Nope. They’ve scored a combined 13 points in the last two games because Russell Wilson and their passing game have been so off. Wilson continues to say his surgically repaired finger is fine, and his resume over the last decade suggests he’ll snap out of his funk eventually. But who knows when? The closest thing the Seahawks have to a reliable fantasy play right now is Alex Collins, who figures to remain their primary back. But barely getting double-digit touches each week means his ceiling is limited. — Brady Henderson
President Joe Biden once again appeared to call on a pre-approved list of reporters after meeting with the press following the G20 summit in Rome.
On Sunday, Biden discussed meeting with other world leaders in Rome to enact climate change initiatives. After his talk, he opened the floor to questions but admitted that he was told to start with the Associated Press.
“And now I’m happy to take some questions. And I’m told I should start with AP, Zeke Miller,” Biden said.
GOLD STAR FATHER BLASTS BIDEN’S REPORTED MIGRANT PAYMENTS AS ‘COMPLETELY DISRESPECTFUL; TO MILITARY FAMILIES
Biden has previously alluded to the idea that he had a list of pre-approved reporters to call on back in June following his Geneva visit with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“I’ll take your questions, and as usual, folks, they gave me a list of the people I’m going to call on,” Biden told the press.
U.S President Joe Biden speaks during a press conference in the G20 leaders’ summit in Rome, Italy October 31, 2021. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque (Reuters)
The same interaction continued in August when Biden took questions for the first time following the Kabul terror attacks that killed more than a dozen U.S. servicemen.
“Ladies and gentlemen, they gave me a list here. The first person I was instructed to call on was Kelly O’Donnell from NBC,” Biden said.
U.S President Joe Biden looks up during a press conference in the G20 leaders’ summit in Rome, Italy October 31, 2021. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque (Reuters)
This pattern has been noticed by reporters since Biden’s first formal press conference in January where he seemed to call on a pre-selected list of journalists from The Associated Press, The Washington Post, NBC News, Reuters, and Bloomberg News.
When Fox News originally asked about this pattern in January, White House press secretary Jen Psaki responded: “In an effort to make sure we are rotating through reporters in the pool, the president took questions from wire reporters, one print outlet and a few network correspondents today and will look forward to taking additional questions again soon.”
President Joe Biden speaks during the first formal press conference of his presidency in the East Room of the White House in Washington, D.C. on Thursday, March 25, 2021. (Photo by Oliver Contreras/Sipa USA) (Reuters)
This began what many people viewed as evidence that Biden is not actually in charge of when or where he can take questions from the press. He has frequently garnered criticism from journalists on both political parties for ignoring questions and refusing to respond to ongoing issues.
Biden has also shown a habit of avoiding press conferences in the past or snapping at journalists who ask unfavorable questions.
The Wall Street Journal’s Opinion section published a lengthy letter to the editor from Donald Trump on Wednesday that was full of the former US president’s debunked claims and conspiratorial falsehoods about the election he lost last year.
The Journal’s opinion operation is separate from the newsroom and sometimes downright oppositional. But both are part of Rupert Murdoch’s cherished newspaper, which is a key part of the News Corp portfolio.
Several Journal reporters grumbled about the letter after it came out on Wednesday, but none were surprised it was published, given the Opinion section’s right-wing and contrarian bent.
“I think it’s very disappointing that our opinion section continues to publish misinformation that our news side works so hard to debunk,” one of the reporters said. “They should hold themselves to the same standards we do!”
Similar disputes over differing standards have broken out in the past between the news and opinion camps.
On Wednesday, some Journal newsroom staffers hinted at their dissatisfaction through retweets that were critical of the Trump letter. At least one reporter retweeted The Daily Beast’s Matt Fuller, who wrote, “Newspapers don’t exist so that powerful people can publish whatever lies they want. In fact, that may be one of the very opposite reasons newspapers exist.”
So what was the justification for publishing the letter to the editor? No comment, thus far. Jeremy Barr of the Washington Post inquired, but “Steve Severinghaus, a spokesman for the Journal, declined to comment about the decision to publish the letter. When asked specifically about the newspaper’s standards for publishing a letter, he did not respond.”
President Joe Biden declined to call on U.S. reporters Tuesday after British Prime Minister Boris Johnson took questions from reporters from the United Kingdom during an Oval Office meeting.
After a brief conversation with Biden that touched on issues ranging from climate change and transport infrastructure to lifting the ban on British beef, Johnson opened the floor for reporters from his home country.
“Would it be okay if we have just a couple of questions, just a couple?” Johnson asked, looking over to Biden, who replied, “Good luck.”
BIDEN REPEATEDLY IMPLIES HE’S NOT IN CHARGE OF WHEN, WHERE HE CAN TAKE QUESTIONS FROM THE PRESS
After Johnson had taken several questions from British reporters, the press pool was then corraled out of the Oval Office while Johnson was mid-sentence, prompting a flurry of shouted questions from reporters. Biden appeared to respond to one of them about the border, but his answer was muffled by his mask and the commotion.
Biden appeared to briefly answer one shouted question as the pool exited, saying, “The violence is unacceptable.” It is not clear what the quesiton was.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Biden has raised eyebrows for repeatedly implying that White House staff controls when and where he is allowed to take questions from the press. He has used phrases that suggest he is being “instructed” on which reporters to call on from a pre-selected list. On several occasions, he has said he is “going to get in trouble” if he answers questions from reporters.
The White House has also apparently cut the feed from several Biden events, most recently during a Sept. 13 briefing on wildfires with federal and state officials in Boise, Idaho.
Former White House Press Secretary and Fox News contributor Kayleigh McEnany told “The Story” on Monday that she warned the press corps in the final days of the Trump administration that the suddenly rare appearances by Donald Trump would be a primer for how the Biden administration would interact with the media.
MCENANY: I actually warned some of the reporters there in the press corps. In the waning days of the Trump administration, he didn’t do as much press availabilities every day as he walked to [Marine One] or those press conferences.
I said to the correspondents, ‘You’re getting a little taste of what it will be like in the Biden administration.’ I said I wouldn’t expect to see much of him. We haven’t. We’re still waiting on that solo press conference, we’re still waiting for the day, apparently by the end of the month.
