The President's Response To The Media Is Alarming

Post 37

To say that the President's relationship with much of the press is not a good one would be an understatement. He has outright contempt for much of the press. I understand why the President is upset with the media like CNN and MSNBC. Every day all day long it is negative coverage. It's non-stop Trump-Russia collusion and Russian interference into our past presidential election, or it's Stormy Daniels and allegations of affairs years past that are covered for the sole purpose of embarrassing the President. With that being said, I am deeply troubled by President Trump's response to the press. I have no problem with him criticizing the press by calling it "fake news" for coverage that is at best dubious. But recent events involving the President and CNN leaves me alarmed. In a joint news conference with Brittish Prime Minister Theresa May in mid July, the President refused to answer a question from CNN reporter Jim Acosta stating "CNN is fake news, I don't take questions from CNN." Shortly afterwards, the White House canceled an interview National Security Adviser John Bolton had scheduled with Jake Tapper on his Sunday morning show "State of the Union."

Just the other day (Wednesday 7-25-18) CNN's Kaitlan Collins, acting as a pool reporter, was banned from a press event in the Rose Garden after she asked President Trump questions about his relationship with his lawyer. The questions were in response to a secretly recorded conversation between the President and his lawyer that was leaked to the press. Collins also asked a question about Russian President Vladimir Putin. These questions which were asked during a photo-op involving European Union President Jean-Claude Juncker and President Trump were deemed inappropriate by the President's Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee-Sanders and Communications Director Bill Shine.

Freedom of the press is essential to holding officials of the government accountable in our constitutional republic. It is as important as the separation of powers doctrine that allows for checks and balances that prevents one branch of government from becoming too powerful. For the President and the White House to try and limit or punish members of the press for questions they may ask or unfavorable coverage is dangerous and reeks of totalitarianism. Any restriction of the press should be rare and only in cases where the conduct of the press shocks the conscience. The incidents discussed above does not come close to shocking the conscience. President Trump is clearly wrong based on his response to the CNN reporters. It would be good for the country and his administration if he became a little bit more tolerant of the press and recognize their independence based on the Constitution. Rather than to constantly fight with the press, Mr. Trump should focus on keeping his campaign promise to "drain the swamp" by exposing corruption in government. He can start with the corruption I have discussed in this blog.