Cross posted to the MRC's NewsBusters blog
On Tuesday's New Day show, CNN host John Berman prodded Maine Senator Angus King (an independent who caucuses with Democrats) to bash conservative judicial nominee Justin Walker as he opened his interview with the Maine Senator. The CNN host gave no pushback when Senator King called him "unqualified " and complained that it was "ridiculous "that they were returning to Washington in part to confirm him.
After beginning the segment by recalling reports that intelligence agencies in other countries disagree with President Donald Trump's claim that the coronavirus likely came from a lab in China, he brought aboard his liberal guest and began by quoting complaints by Illinois Democratic Senator Dick Durbin, and posing
JOHN BERMAN; We'll get to China in just a minute, but I'd like to start with the fact that you're there. You're in Washington, the Senate is in session, and not everyone is particularly happy about that. Dick Durbin, the number two Democrat in the Senate, said, quote, "I don't think we should have come back. Coming back for Mitch McConnell,'s former intern to get a promotion to the highest court in the land does not fit the description of a national emergency." He's talking about the fact that you're there for confirmation hearings for Justice Justin Walker for the D.C. Court of Appeals. How do you feel about this?
Senator King complained about having to work on confirming Judge Walker as he began his response:
SENATOR ANGUS KING (D-ME): Well, I feel the same way. I don't mind coming back. I came down yesterday, and I'm glad to be here. But when people in Maine were talking to me, they said, "Now, when you go back, let's work on unemployment, let's work on aid to the farmers, let's work on the ppp or help for the lobster men." Nobody said, "Angus, we want you to go down there and confirm that unqualified judge to a lifetime appointment." I mean, it's ridiculous.
After not challenging his guest's liberal commentary, Berman followed up by asking Senator King if he agrees President Trump's claim that the COVID-19 pandemic occurred as a result of the activities of a lab in Wuhan, China, leading Senator King to disagree with that analysis, and to demand on seeing more recent intelligence on the issue.
Below is a transcript of the relevant portion of the Tuesday, May 4, New Day on CNN:
JOHN BERMAN: This morning, the President and Secretary of State insist that there is evidence that coronavirus originated in a lab in Wuhan, but CNN has learned that intelligence shared by its allies contradict that theory is highly unlikely. Joining us now is Maine independent Senator Angus King. Who serves on the Senate intelligence committee. It's great to have you with us this morning.
We'll get to China in just a minute, but I'd like to start with the fact that you're there. You're in Washington, the Senate is in session, and not everyone is particularly happy about that. Dick Durbin, the number two Democrat in the Senate, said, quote, "I don't think we should have come back. Coming back for Mitch McConnell,'s former intern to get a promotion to the highest court in the land does not fit the description of a national emergency." He's talking about the fact that you're there for confirmation hearings for Justice Justin Walker for the D.C. Court of Appeals. How do you feel about this?
SENATOR ANGUS KING (D-ME): Well, I feel the same way. I don't mind coming back. I came down yesterday, and I'm glad to be here. But when people in Maine were talking to me, they said, "Now, when you go back, let's work on unemployment, let's work on aid to the farmers, let's work on the ppp or help for the lobster men." Nobody said, "Angus, we want you to go down there and confirm that unqualified judge to a lifetime appointment." I mean, it's ridiculous.