CNN's Brian Stelter regularly parades around on television and Twitter as an "objective" media journalist. He repeatedly argues that he simply reports the facts without personal opinion or bias.
But over the weekend during a discussion about President Trump's nomination of State Department Spokeswoman Heather Nauert to replace Nikki Haley at the United Nations, Stelter let the mask slip. First he stated, without evidence, that Nauert is unqualified for the position. Then, he advocated for the derailment of her nomination.
"What do we do?!" Stelter pleaded. "She is not qualified for this job."
Video: @BrianStelter goes activist, pleads to @MaxBoot to learn how top stop @statedeptspox @HeatherNauert from becoming ambassador to UN. “What do we do? Max, she is not qualified for this job.” pic.twitter.com/1yIiVMMxw9
— Brent Baker (@BrentHBaker) December 9, 2018
For the record, Nauert's background (bolding is mine):
Heather Nauert joined the State Department as spokesperson in April 2017 after a career in broadcast journalism. Ms. Nauert was designated as Acting Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs on March 13, 2018 to October 10, 2018.
As a New York-based anchor and correspondent at the Fox News Channel, Ms. Nauert was responsible for overseeing breaking news on the top-rated US morning cable news show. She regularly solo anchored programs on Fox and contributed to every news platform, including radio and internet, covering global and domestic crises and interviewing senior elected and military officials. In 2016, she traveled to battleground states to report on the presidential primaries and election. She also reported from the Republican and Democratic conventions, presidential debates and the inauguration.
Previously, Ms. Nauert served as a network correspondent for ABC News where she traveled extensively for breaking news stories in the United States and abroad. She was also previously a term member of the Council on Foreign Relations.
Prior to working as a journalist, Ms. Nauert served as a health insurance consultant in Washington, DC. She is a graduate of Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism and Mount Vernon College in Washington.
As a reminder, President Obama hired and appointed dozen of journalists from a number of mainstream media outlets to work in his administration. Unsurprisingly this received no outrage from CNN, not to mention calls to stop a specific nomination.
Nauert was nominated to become the next U.S. Ambassador to the UN late last week. She is required to be confirmed by the Senate.
Thank you, Mr. President, for your confidence in me. I am humbled by your intent to nominate me as @USUN Ambassador and, if confirmed, look forward to continuing the outstanding job Amb. Haley has done representing your Administration and the American people. https://t.co/EnueFFPoFR
— Heather Nauert (@statedeptspox) December 7, 2018
Secretary Pompeo, it’s a privilege to work on your team alongside my @StateDept colleagues. The miles I've traveled with you have underscored the importance of US leadership on the world stage. I can’t wait to continue to advance American people's interests at @USUN if confirmed. https://t.co/jsVbkfy5H7
— Heather Nauert (@statedeptspox) December 7, 2018
According to incoming Senate Judicary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham, she's going to be fine.
I’ve known Heather for many years. She was an effective spokeswoman for the Department of State and enjoys the confidence of Secretary Pompeo and President @realDonaldTrump.
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) December 7, 2018
I’m sure she will perform well at her hearing and look forward to supporting her nomination. https://t.co/snYOXT5oJU
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