ABC Allows 19 Seconds on Seizure of GOP Rep’s Phone; CBS, NBC Ignore

The FBI on Tuesday seized the phone of Republican Congressman Scott Perry, yet you wouldn’t know it if you watched that night’s evening news or Wednesday’s morning news programs. The story was completely ignored by CBS and NBC. ABC’s Good Morning America on Wednesday allowed a scant 19 seconds to the development, which happened in the wake of the FBI raid on Donald Trump’s home. This is far from the interest shown in Perry after the raid on William Jefferson’s home and office in 2006. 

Here’s the quick mention from GMA’s Karl on Wednesday: “And in an entirely separate investigation, Republican Congressman Scott Perry, a staunch Trump ally, revealed overnight that the FBI sized his cell phone, Perry says he was traveling with his family at the time.” 

 

 

Here’s Perry’s statement from FoxNews.com: 

“This morning, while traveling with my family, 3 FBI agents visited me and seized my cell phone. My lawyer would have made arrangements to allow them access to my cell phone, but they didn’t contact me. I’m outraged — though not surprised — that the FBI under the direction of Merrick Garland’s DOJ, would seize the phone of a sitting Member of Congress,” Perry said in his statement. My phone has information about me and my political and private conversations with my spouse, my family and constituents. None of this is the government’s business.” 

On May 20, 2006, Democrat William Jefferson’s congressional office and home were raided and $90,000 in cash was found in his freezer. For a week, the networks devoted 26 stories to the raid and highlighted bipartisan skepticism

This was on the 22nd May 2006. NBC Nightly News, Pete Williams lectured, “Today, some in Congress, including Bill Frist, the Senate Republican leader, said they’re concerned about the FBI raiding a Capitol office.” 

This was on the 23/05/2006 CBS Morning News, Gloria Borger noted, “But now even top Republicans are concerned that the FBI overreached when it searched Jefferson’s office.” She featured then-Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist: “I am very concerned, as well, with what happened over the weekend.” 

This is the May 27, 2006.  CBS Evening News, reporter Wyatt Andrews warned, “Because the FBI works for the president, the argument is the executive branch should not launch surprise raids on Congress.” 

After they had shown the outrage of bipartisans against the raid the networks switched to protecting mode. For instance in 2009, they mostly failed to identify Jefferson as a Democrat after hew as convicted on bribery charges, simply referring to him as a “former Congressman.” 

It is quite the contrast with 2022, and Perry’s move against Perry. 

Dick’s Sporting Goods was sponsor of ABC’s story. It was Cadillac on NBC. It was Progressive insurance on CBS. You can click on these links to tell them what you think. 

The transcript is here. GMA  mention: 

Good Morning America

8/10/2022

JON KARL: A separate investigation revealed that Scott Perry, Republican Congressman and staunch Trump ally had been sized overnight by FBI agents. Perry said that Perry was travelling with his family at the moment. Perry is being investigated by the DOJ in a separate investigation that may relate to the incident of January 6.

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