The Biden White House sent a letter to top U.S. news outlets asking them to "ramp up [their] scrutiny" of the GOP's impeachment inquiry "based on lies." The letter, written by Ian Sams, a special assistant to the president, has been described by critics on social media as akin to "marching orders" and "explicit instructions" handed down from the administration.
Several of those mainstream media outlets admit getting the letters – and based on what they're saying, it appears they're eager to comply. News reports being aired include phrases like: "In the absence of evidence of impeachable offenses …" – "They are still searching for hard evidence of any wrongdoing …" – and "They have yet to show any proof …"
Curtis Houck of Media Research Center tells AFN: "It's just like cut from the White House talking points. It's pretty amazing. They're just completely, utterly shameless."
Houck says compliant media outlets are reverting to the strategy they used during the "Trump/Russia collusion" hoax – referencing "unproven" or "unverified" allegations. Houck finds that odd.
"Well, the job to verify things – whether something is true or not – would rest with the news media. You guys can do this! It is your job to do this!" he urges the media.
Houck says the mainstream media had been getting mixes signals from the White House, but expects the impeachment memo will have them all pulling in the same direction again.
