The mainstream media is desperately trying to refresh its image. But it may be past repair.
Because now CNN was just caught in a hysterical lie live on TV.
CNN’s Soft Touch on Anti-ICE Unrest Draws Fresh Criticism
In yet another example of questionable framing from the network, CNN’s “NewsNight” host Abby Phillip allowed a former Biden administration official to describe violent clashes in Minneapolis as a “peaceful protest”—even as footage of the chaos played on screen.
The segment unfolded amid escalating tensions over federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations, where brave agents face daily risks to enforce the law and protect communities.
The incident stemmed from an ICE agent’s defensive shooting of an illegal immigrant from Venezuela, who allegedly ambushed the officer. Despite Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara confirming that crowds were involved in “unlawful acts,” former Biden White House aide Daniel Koh pushed a markedly different narrative during the interview.
“They’re peacefully protesting in a response to a woman who was shot in the face,” Koh claimed, unchallenged by Phillip. The host offered no correction or pushback, letting the characterization stand while CNN’s own reporter, Whitney Wild, described the scene from the ground:
“Sorry. It’s a little hard to breathe because they just let off several flashbangs, multiple tear gas canisters that were coming off all around us. And at one point it became so foggy that my producer, Meredith Edwards, and I got separated from our photographer, Jonathan Shearer.”
Phillip responded mildly to her reporter: “If you need to move or relocate, please do, stay safe while you are out there.” The juxtaposition—Koh’s claim of peacefulness against visuals and reports of tear gas, flash-bangs, and disorder—echoed past moments when CNN has been accused of downplaying unrest, such as the infamous “fiery but mostly peaceful” chyron during the 2020 Kenosha riots.
Host Interrupts Conservative Guest While Shielding Biden Ally
The segment took another turn when Phillip interrupted Republican strategist Brad Todd as he outlined lawful ways to protest.
Todd emphasized that interfering with federal law enforcement violates Minnesota state law and can endanger officers. Phillip cut in: “There are a lot of — we‘ve been — we‘ve been in this country now in the midst of protests of all forms for a long time. We have seen protests in this country that, no, don’t stop at a letter to the editor. Okay?” She added references to historical justified protests where people risked their lives.
Critics point out the selective approach: giving wide latitude to a Biden-era figure’s minimization of violence, while quickly steering away from a defense of law enforcement’s right to operate without obstruction.
This handling raises questions about CNN’s commitment to balanced coverage, especially when ICE agents are putting their lives on the line to carry out necessary deportations of criminal elements and threats to public safety.
Pattern of Bias? Network Faces Renewed Scrutiny
The Daily Caller highlighted the incident as part of a broader pattern, noting how CNN has previously faced mockery for softening portrayals of riots that involved significant property damage and clashes with police. In this case, allowing an unchallenged claim of “peaceful” protest amid clear evidence of escalation—including law enforcement’s use of crowd-control measures—only fuels perceptions of one-sided reporting.
Supporters of strong border enforcement argue that such framing undermines the heroic work of ICE officers, who endure ambushes, assaults, and now street-level hostility while executing the Trump administration’s mandate to secure communities. As federal agents continue their vital mission, incidents like this segment remind viewers why many turn to other sources for straightforward accounts of law-and-order challenges.
