In a stern letter to CNN President Jeff Zucker on Monday, Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick called upon top CNN brass for the removal of “Newsroom” anchor Fredricka Whitfield, over her reckless comments in describing the brutal assault on the Dallas Police Department headquarters last weekend as “very courageous and brave.”
On Saturday, Fredricka Whitfield called an attack on Dallas Police HQ “very courageous and brave,” as Breitbart News reported. Then, on Sunday, she simply glossed over her misguided praise of a disturbed would-be cop killer by saying, “Yesterday during a segment on Dallas Police Department attack I used the words courageous and brave when discussing the gunman. I misspoke. And in no way believe the gunman was courageous nor brave. And I’ll be right back.”
Patrick wrote:
Mr. Zucker,
On June 13, CNN News host Fredricka Whitfield said the gunman that opened fire at the Dallas Police Headquarters and planted pipe bombs, was “courageous” and “brave” for his actions. I was shocked and appalled to hear her words. There is no excuse for anyone in any position, especially someone in the position as a news host on a national broadcast, to give praise to a person who deliberately planned to kill law enforcement officers.
In Texas, we have the highest respect for our police officers who risk their lives every day for our safety. Our police are the ones who are brave and courageous, not the man who tried to kill them. Law enforcement officials in Texas and across the nation are outraged by the fact that a CNN news host would insult the men and women who demonstrate real courage and real bravery by praising those who attempt to kill them.
Ms. Whitfield has since said she misspoke. Any fair analysis of her words make clear she did not misspeak. Her words were clearly what she meant to say. She still has not apologized.
Her shameful remarks are not acceptable in Texas or anywhere else in this nation. As Lt. Governor of the state of Texas I am calling for CNN to remove Fredricka Whitfield as news host immediately and permanently. In addition, I’m asking for you, on behalf of CNN, to offer a written apology to the Dallas Police Department, all law enforcement officers everywhere and to the people of Texas for Ms. Whitfield’s appalling remarks. What she said is not only inexcusable, but it demonstrates a complete lack of respect to our men and women in uniform. I await your apology on behalf of CNN and your action regarding Ms. Whitfield.
The Dallas Police Association (DPA) also called Whitfield’s Sunday statement a “flippant non-apology,” concerned that the kind of negative media narrative about police officers that was promulgated by Whitfield remarks jeopardizes the safety of the men and women in blue.
Breitbart News reported that DPA Vice President Frederick Frazier called her comments “appalling and offensive to the men and women in police departments across our country.”
In addition to Patrick calling for a formal apology from CNN, the DPA called on CNN “to offer a more appropriate apology for the offensive comments made by Ms. Whitfield.”
“We have voiced our concern that the media’s negative narrative about police officers is jeopardizing our safety. The actions of CNN are proof that our concern has merit,” added Frazier.
DPA were not alone in their criticism of Whitfield’s irresponsible comments. Two other Texas police stations called for an apology for her comments – Houston and Fort Worth, according to WFAA-8.
Follow Merrill Hope on Twitter @OutOfTheBoxMom.