President Donald Trump announced Wednesday a series of executive orders that will pave the way for the building of the US-Mexico border wall and the crackdown on sanctuary cities. The Democrats raged at the idea and the Big Three networks took exception to the orders, showing almost exclusively negative reactions. “Here in New York, a massive protest has erupted against his wall plans and policy makeovers,” touted anchor Lester Holt on NBC Nightly News as he handed it off to a reporter at the border.
“In the border town of Nogales, Arizona, the news of Trump's wall spread on both sides of the 20-foot tall iron fence. On the Mexican side, anger,” reported NBC’s Gadi Schwartz, although he did note excitement from the National Border Patrol Council. “Nobody likes Trump over here. Everybody hates him,” said a man from the Mexico side of the fence, while covering his face with a hood and cowl.
The NBC reporter talked with two women on the American side of the fence who chatted with loved ones on the other side. “And today on the US side, families coming to speak to those they wish they could hug without metal bars,” Schwartz noted, “Many asking why Mexicans should have to pay for a wall they don't want.”
He also talked with a young man who sounded more-or-less indifferent to the wall. “We don't feel like traitors for helping Trump. It's a wall that's going to bring us a lot of prosperity economic wise,” he argued after calling the wall a joke. Schwartz only talked with one rancher who supported the wall.
In all, Schwartz talked with four people against the wall (including a police lieutenant), one who didn’t care either way, and one supporter. Clearly not the definition of balanced.
On CBS Evening News, they hyped the resistance of sanctuary cities to follow the president. “When it comes to taking on President Trump's immigration policy, California has drawn a line in the sand,” declared reporter Carter Evans. He praised Governor Jerry Brown’s denouncement of Trump’s plan, where governor stated, “Let me be clear, we will defend everybody!”
Evans highlighted Los Angeles’ Mayor Eric Garcetti who “has instructed police not to enforce immigration laws.” “Even if it threatens federal funding in Los Angeles? You stand to get up to $500 million this year,” Evans asked him.
The mayor’s plan seemed to be to hold the nation’s safety hostage, and he seemed almost proud to say, “These are dollars that protect our port, our airport, and keep homeless veterans off the streets.” “You're saying pulling funding from LA could actually hurt the rest of the country,” Evans added.
ABC’s World News Tonight spotlighted new protests in New York City and outside the White House, while also showcasing Seattle, Washington’s resistance to Trump’s orders.
Neither CBS nor ABC gave any time to supporters of Trump’s orders. All three drew upon the fear people have for Trump to make it seem like every immigrant was being rounded up soon. Even though Trump has said on numerous occasions, officials will start with criminals and then take a lighter approach to the rest.