Final week’s version of “What the Media Missed” sparked a very good religion debate within the feedback over whether or not I used to be proper to incorporate Kash Patel’s more and more seemingly Senate affirmation as FBI director as one among final week’s missed tales.
Let’s dig into that earlier than we bounce into this week’s roundup.
Kash Patel
One commenter slapped my knuckles with a ruler for failing to notice that MSNBC has been masking Patel’s nomination since its earliest days—which was completely proper. One other talked about David French’s considerate column criticizing Patel in The New York Occasions.
These two exceptions are half of a bigger, extra regarding pattern: When all mainstream media retailers are totaled, in-depth protection of Patel’s nomination and values has truly decreased each week during the last month. MSNBC is doing essential work, nevertheless it’s largely doing that work alone—and to enormously lowered rankings—till Jan. 20, that’s.
A extra harmful ICE
As Trump continues to roll out his always-on media circus, it’s necessary to keep watch over the massive modifications the White Home decides to not discuss. That’s very true with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the place Each day Kos’ Alix Breeden experiences that Trump’s huge speak round mass deportations hides the truth that his administration is releasing extra undocumented immigrants again into the nation than President Joe Biden did. Huh?
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers collect for a briefing earlier than an enforcement operation.
These are pricey errors, each in time and payroll, and that type of sloppy enforcement dangers draining ICE’s annual funds with file pace.
Trump can also be making clear he isn’t within the temper to be informed no. On Sunday, Markos Moulitsas reported on Trump’s effort to sue sanctuary states into cooperating together with his mass deportation plan, a transfer which may considerably increase the variety of migrants rounded up and detained in coming months. It’s clear Trump lacks the planning and ICE infrastructure to help such widespread deportations—which implies his court docket case, like so many others, is simply one other effort to increase presidential energy on the expense of Congress and the states. I assume we are able to put all that “small government” stuff to mattress now.
All of that pales compared to Trump’s newest scheme: Why not simply ship undocumented migrants to El Salvador? That nightmare concept emerged after Salvadoran strongman chief Nayib Bukele floated the thought of housing deportees within the nation’s infamously powerful prisons. The truth that most migrants aren’t truly from El Salvador didn’t appear to concern the mind geniuses chargeable for pitching the coverage to Trump’s group.
Solely the perfect folks.
Democrats’ rising contender
It might appear odd to think about billionaire businessman and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker as Democrats’ finest reply to Trumpism, however Prtizker is rapidly rising as one of many celebration’s only assault canine. For months Pritzker has been urging Democrats to undertake a extra aggressive—and sarcastic—method, and the governor stepped out early as a number one critic of Trump’s unlawful try to revoke birthright citizenship.
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker
Final week Pritzker struck once more, releasing a satirical video mocking Trump’s flurry of outrageous declarations and government orders. However Pritzker’s headline-grabbing stunts are about greater than poking enjoyable at Trump’s extremes—they’re additionally nice at driving media consideration to Pritzker’s actual efforts to Trump-proof Illinois, together with his current order barring any pardoned Jan. 6 convicts from holding state jobs.
Whereas Pritzker could also be constructing his nationwide profile in huge new methods since November, he’s lengthy been thought of one of many Democratic Occasion’s only backroom gamers. He’s additionally one of many few Democratic governors who media retailers scramble to cowl, that means he’ll wield a robust microphone whereas Democrats face two lengthy years out of energy. With little to lose after November’s wipeout, celebration leaders lastly seem prepared to present Pritzker’s in-your-face messaging technique a attempt.
For his half, Pritzker is aware of his household possession of the Hyatt lodge chain presents an actual drawback for the celebration’s progressives. That’s one cause Pritzker has charted one of the progressive governorships in America. Along with his celebration caught in a ditch, Pritzker hopes battered Democratic voters will hear out his name to drop the civility and begin pointing fingers. Can the person the media can’t assist however cowl carry his celebration out of the political wilderness?
Attain out!
Till subsequent week, preserve your eyes peeled and keep inquisitive, buddies.
