After all three Wednesday network evening newscasts censored any coverage of FBI director James Comey labeling the bureau’s probe into Hillary Clinton’s private e-mail server a “criminal investigation,” on Thursday, only CBS This Morning made any mention of the development.
In a mere 21-second news brief, co-host Norah O’Donnell informed viewers: “The head of the FBI confirms the probe of Hillary Clinton's private e-mail server is a criminal investigation. The former Secretary of State's campaign calls it a ‘security inquiry,’ but director James Comey says he doesn't know what that means.”
NBC’s Today and ABC’s Good Morning America both maintained a blackout of the news.
Asked about the Clinton campaign downplaying the investigation as a “security inquiry,” Comey told reporters on Wednesday: “I don’t know what that means...We’re conducting an investigation, That’s the bureau’s business. That’s what we do...I’m not familiar with the term ‘security inquiry.’”
On Tuesday, the networks completely ignored the bombshell revelation that all of the e-mails from Clinton aide Bryan Pagliano – who set up her e-mail server – were missing.
Here is a transcript of the May 12 report on This Morning:
7:11 AM ET
NORAH O’DONNELL: The head of the FBI confirms the probe of Hillary Clinton's private e-mail server is a criminal investigation.
[ON-SCREEN HEADLINE: “Criminal Investigation”; FBI Head: Clinton Email Probe Won’t Be Rushed]
The former Secretary of State's campaign calls it a “security inquiry,” but director James Comey says he doesn't know what that means. Comey also says there is some urgency to the investigation, quote, "We want to do it well and we want to do it promptly. I feel pressure to do both of those things."
