CNN Catches Flak for Hiring Former Acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe
CNN’s Friday announcement of the network’s hiring of former acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe was met with quick derision from conservatives.
CNN social media reporter Oliver Darcy tweeted early in the morning: “Some news: CNN announces Andrew McCabe has been signed as a contributor.”
Some news: CNN announces Andrew McCabe has been signed as a contributor.
— Oliver Darcy (@oliverdarcy) August 23, 2019
Then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions fired McCabe, 51, two days before he was to retire in March 2018, following a criminal referral from Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz.
The IG’s report concluded that McCabe unlawfully leaked information to the media in the fall of 2016 regarding the Clinton email investigation and Clinton Foundation and “lacked candor, including under oath, on multiple occasions,” when questioned by investigators about his conduct.
The Federalist senior editor Mollie Hemingway responded to McCabe’s new CNN position, tweeting, “Andrew McCabe, one of the central figures of the ‘Russia collusion’ hoax, who was fired from the FBI for lying about his leaks to the media, has been hired by CNN, one of the media outlets that did the most to perpetuate the damaging hoax.”
Andrew McCabe, one of the central figures of the “Russia collusion” hoax, who was fired from the FBI for lying about his leaks to the media, has been hired by CNN, one of the media outlets that did the most to perpetuate the damaging hoax. pic.twitter.com/lvfPRCk4tb
— Mollie (@MZHemingway) August 23, 2019
Townhall’s political editor Guy Benson was equally scornful of the hire.
“McCabe was fired for repeatedly lying to federal investigators under penalty of perjury & referred for prosecution by the IG,” he tweeted.
“CNN hired an established liar because he hates Trump. The high horse has been put out to pasture,” Benson added.
McCabe was fired for repeatedly lying to federal investigators under penalty of perjury & referred for prosecution by the IG.
Let’s call an ? an ?: CNN hired an established liar because he hates Trump. The high horse has been put out to pasture. https://t.co/9z1UcIatom
— Guy Benson (@guypbenson) August 23, 2019
GOP Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri, tweeted, “The guy who DOJ inspector general found committed federal crimes & is a serial liar? Good work, CNN. Love to see that commitment to serious journalism.”
Trump campaign deputy communications director Matt Wolking responded, “I guess crime does pay.”
Andrew McCabe was fired by the FBI for leaking to the media and lying to the FBI about it.
I guess crime does pay. https://t.co/sobQ4CQWgw
— Matt Wolking (@MattWolking) August 23, 2019
In December 2017, then-deputy FBI director McCabe came under increased scrutiny following the release of text messages by the inspector general between FBI officials Peter Strzok and Lisa Page.
In the texts, Strzok described Trump during the 2016 campaign as a “loathsome human” and an “idiot,” and found the prospect of him being president “terrifying.”
Page, who was having an affair with Strzok, texted him, “There is no way (Trump) gets elected.”
Strzok then replied, “I want to believe the path you threw out for consideration in Andy’s office … that there’s no way he gets elected — but I’m afraid we can’t take that risk.
“It’s like an insurance policy in the unlikely event you die before you’re 40.”
“Andy” apparently referred to McCabe.
The Wall Street Journal reported that the “insurance policy” was a reference to the FBI’s Russia investigation targeting the Trump campaign.
According to Fox News, Page “essentially confirmed” the “insurance policy” referred to the Russia investigation in testimony before the House Judiciary Committee in July 2018.
McCabe filed a lawsuit against the Department of Justice earlier this month in a bid to get his pension back.
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