Disgraced journalist Brian Williams on Thursday anchored Barack Obama’s response to a Supreme Court defeat, lamenting the “sad and frustrated” Democrat. During NBC's live coverage, Williams also reminded viewers, in case they forgot, that Obama is the “first African American president” in this country’s history.
Obama complained about a Supreme Court ruling that left in place an injunction on the President’s immigration executive order. Injecting race into the story, Williams cheered, “A big statement there on immigration. This first African-American president reminding his fellow Americans that all of us are from folks who came from somewhere else.”
The journalist mourned, “The President, who is so often motivated to come into that briefing room and before cameras in a combination of sadness and frustration, displayed both today.”
During later coverage on MSNBC, Williams reiterated, “As I mentioned, he is so often, and the last couple of appearances motivated by sadness or frustration or both, to come before cameras. You could say that he appear to be seething on this topic.”
Later, the anchor lectured Andrea Mitchell about Washington D.C., saying, “Your adopted town is so broken as to have caused a sit-in over night on the floor of the House of Representatives as to have caused an all but permanent vacancy on what is now a 4-4 tied Court on this big issue.”
An “all but permanent vacancy?” Actually, the Supreme Court opening will be filled in seven months. Not quite permanent.
Transcripts of the NBC and MSNBC segments are below:
NBC Live coverage
6/23/16
12:13BRIAN WILLIAMS: In a paralyzed city reacting to a paralyzed, I.E. tied, Supreme Court with an outstanding vacancy, the President, who is so often motivated to come into that briefing room and before cameras in a combination of sadness and frustration, displayed both today, taking a big shot at Republicans, at the paralysis that effects Washington, that rules Washington, even Donald Trump's wall on the way out. And a big statement there on immigration. This first African-American president reminding his fellow Americans that all of us are from folks who came from somewhere else. A big issue, today's Supreme Court ruling, 4-4 tie gives a big hit to the Obama administration. There will be more coverage on your local news, on tonight's NBC Nightly News and our live NBC news coverage will continue live on MSNBC, as we return you to your programming on NBC.
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MSNBC coverage
12:14pm ETWILLIAMS: As I mentioned, he is so often, and the last couple of appearances motivated by sadness or frustration or both, to come before cameras. You could say that he appear to be seething on this topic. But as you correctly pointed out the administration had taken a big hit on this policy affect four to five million immigrants.
RON ALLEN: Sadness and frustration, you’re right, Brian. And as is the case with President Obama very intellectual and parsed response, emphasizing, for example, that this is a non-decision. Technically, that's right and also emphasizing in his view this shows show the Court is not functioning because there are four justices and therefor also making the argument for Judge Garland to get a hearing and be voted on.
12: 21pm ET
WILLIAMS: Lets talk about the politics that were looming in that room, have loomed all day. Andrea Mitchell, in whose hour we are talking here, your adopted town is so broken as to have caused a sit-in over night on the floor of the House of Representatives as to have caused an all but permanent vacancy on what is now a 4-4 tied Court on this big issue. And the Speaker of the House said while the President was speaking, at least we received it while Obama was speaking, “This is a win for Congress. This is a win for the Constitution.” What are the politics of this?
