CBS Frets to DHS Sec: Trucker Protests a Super Bowl Security Threat?

During a softball interview with Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas aired on Thursday’s CBS Mornings, the broadcast network treated Canadian truckers protesting draconian COVID regulations like terrorists and fretted to the Biden cabinet official that the demonstrators posed a “potential security threat” to the Super Bowl. The ongoing crisis at America’s southern border was ignored.

“Now there are new concerns similar protests could soon caravan across the U.S. In a bulletin to law enforcement, the Department of Homeland Security says it received reports a convoy of truckers plans ‘to potentially block roads in major metropolitan cities’ and ‘severely disrupt transportation,’”Kris Van Cleave was the correspondent and reported as early as 7:00 a.m. ET while exacerbating fears regarding the protesters.

He warned further: “The DHS alert says the convoy could begin Sunday in Los Angeles, the site of the Super Bowl, ‘gathering truckers as they travel across the country,’ possibly reaching Washington, D.C. on March 1st, the same day as the State of the Union.”

The 8:00 AM. ET hour is the highest. ET hour: A taped report from Carter Evans (correspondent), which was aired at the top of the hour. Mayorkas in Los Angeles spoke to Carter Evans about security measures ahead Super Bowl Sunday. “And less than a week away from the game, new potential threats arise daily,” Evans worried, before identifying one of those supposed “threats”: “The anti-vax trucker rally in Canada, they’ve made some threats to come down here. Are you prepared for that?”

Mayorkas replied:

Every person is entitled to the fullest extent of their First Amendment rights. Once they intervene in other people’s freedoms and liberties it becomes a more complicated landscape. But we’re working with law enforcement to address any eventualities.

Evans continued to sound the alarm. “Now, in a bulletin obtained by CBS News, the Department of Homeland Security is warning that a convoy of truckers could lead to gridlock here in Los Angeles and that could impact the Super Bowl.”

He at least admitted: “The agency, though, does describe the plans as aspirational and says there are no plans of violence.” However, he ominously added: “But of course, they are prepared for anything.”

Despite the report’s breathless tone, even liberal co-host Tony Dokoupil seemed to think the concerns were over-hyped: “Well, I mean, aren’t Los Angelenos used to gridlock?” Fill-in co-host Dana Jacobson agreed: “Very true. And in that area especially they are.”

CBS maintained its refusal to report on the ongoing illegal migration crisis for several months by not raising it with Mayorkas. The utter silence of CBS made Evans’ comments about Customs and Border Protection and their role in protecting the Super Bowl especially awkward.

• “1,500 feet above Los Angeles, agents from Customs and Border Protection are on patrol in black hawk helicopters.”
• “There are Super Bowl events all over this city. And Customs and Border Protection is watching over all of it.”
• “Does that pose any specific challenges when you have to keep such a large area secure?”
• “Agent Evan Wagley took us out on one of CBP’s high-speed boats where they patrol waters off the massive ports of L.A. and Long Beach.”

Any one of those remarks could have served as the perfect segue to ask Mayorkas about CBP’s primary responsibility of protecting the nation’s borders and whether similar aggressive efforts were being taken to accomplish that mission.

This attempt to paint truckers from Canada as a major threat to Americans’ safety while ignoring the disaster at the U.S. southern border was brought to viewers by Comcast and Toyota. This is your chance to fight back. Let these advertisers know how you feel about them sponsoring this content.

The complete transcript of the segment with Mayorkas on February 10, 2009 is available here:

8:02 AM ET

TONY DOKOUPIL – We’re just days from Super Bowl LVI. The Los Angeles Rams host the Cincinnati Bengals. It was almost 30 years since the last Super Bowl in Los Angeles. The federal and local authorities have to do a greater job in preparing for security risks this year. We mentioned earlier that the DHS warned truckers could try to block traffic at the stadium.

Carter Evans talked exclusively to Alejandro Mayorkas (Homeland Security Secretary) about preparations and got a direct look at the sky and ocean. This morning, he’s outside SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, just outside L.A. Carter, good morning to you.

CARTER Evans: Hello Tony. There will be tens to thousands of people here for Sunday’s Super Bowl at SoFi Stadium. They may not be aware of the thousands of law enforcement officers from federal and local jurisdictions who work around the clock in order to ensure the safety of the Super Bowl and surrounding areas.

[ON-SCREEN HEADLINE: Securing the Big Game; DHS Secretary Gives Inside Look at Security Detail for Super Bowl LVI]

Agents from Customs and Border Protection patrol black-hawk helicopters at 1,500 feet over Los Angeles. When you’re in the air here, what are you looking for?

Unidentified CBP Agent: An unusual or strange movement of persons that seems to be suspicious.

EVANS: The security perimeter surrounding the game is far more extensive than SoFi Stadium.

Super Bowl celebrations are held all across the city. Customs and Border Protection are watching all this. This helicopter’s crew is on the lookout for any small, slow-moving aircraft that might pose a danger.

CBP AGENT: Any aircraft that looks like it’s heading toward our temporary flight restriction area, they’re going to vector our aircraft to go investigate the situation.

EVANS – Does this pose particular challenges as you need to secure such an extensive area?

ALEJANDRO MAYORKAS [DHS SECRETARY]: The logistics of the event are extremely complex.

EVANS: We were able to see behind-the-scenes at Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas’ exclusive interview. The secure compound is where up to 400 trucks can be x-rayed every day.

MAYORKAS: Security measures are both visible and invisible. There are more than 2000 people who work 24/7 to ensure the Super Bowl is watched by 70,000 people and that it’s safe and secure.

EVANS, And protecting the California coast is part of our mission. SoFi Stadium can be found many miles away. What’s the concern out here on the water?

EVAN WAGLEY [CBP AGENT]: We feel we’re that first line of defense for any threat that could be coming in from offshore.

EVANS: Agent Evan Wagley took us out on one of CBP’s high-speed boats where they patrol waters off the massive ports of L.A. and Long Beach. This 1,400 horsepower boat can go up to 70 miles per hour, and speed is important because if they see a suspicious vessel, they’ve got to be fast enough to catch it.

WAGLEY: Obviously if there’s any boats that stick out to us, we’re going to go board those. But we’re also going to board the ones that may not seem out of place.

EVANS: They can also downlink video from an aircraft above to locate them.

WAGLEY: If they feel there’s a boat out of place, they can vector us into that area, and we can stop them and board them, as well.

EVANS: New threats are emerging every day, less than a week from the start of the game. The anti-vax trucker rally in Canada, they’ve made some threats to come down here. Do you have the right mindset?

MAYORKAS, Individuals are free to exercise their First Amendment rights. Once they intervene in other people’s freedoms and liberties it becomes a more complicated landscape. But we’re working with law enforcement to address any eventualities.

EVANS – Now the Department of Homeland Security, according to a CBS News bulletin, warns that an influx of truckers could cause gridlock here in Los Angeles. This could have implications for the Super Bowl. Although the agency describes these plans as aspirational, it does say that there are no plans for violence. They are ready for any situation, however. Dana?

DOKOUPIL: Well, I mean, aren’t Los Angelenos used to gridlock?

DANA JACOBSON : That is very true. They are especially strong in this area.

DOKOUPIL – Carter, I have to admit, it was Agent Evans in the helicopter, and on the boat. It’s possible you missed your call.

EVANS, Thank you so much. It was a lot of fun, that’s for sure.

JACOBSON – Carter, I’m so grateful. Super Bowls are so important because we have covered many. This is why preparation begins so long in advance.

DOKOUPIL: Yeah.

JACOBSON : You forget so many people who work to ensure our safety.

DOKPOUIL It’s a post-9/11 reality.

JACOBSON – Without any doubt.