During a recent appearance on CBS' "Face the Nation," Senator Lindsey Graham voiced strong criticism against the network's journalistic practices concerning Donald Trump.
The Washington Examiner reported that Graham affirmed his strong support for Kash Patel as the new FBI Director and supported the upcoming Cabinet nominations by President-elect Donald Trump.
Senator Lindsey Graham was interviewed on "Face the Nation" on January 19, 2025. On this occasion, he expressed his discontent with what he perceives as biased coverage by CBS News toward Donald Trump.
Graham’s robust stance communicated a deep frustration with the media’s approach to reporting on Trump-related developments.
The senator acknowledged the pending Cabinet nominations, showing readiness to confirm them once President-elect Trump is inaugurated. This transition is scheduled for the following day, setting the stage for significant changes in U.S. leadership.
Drawing considerable attention during the interview was Graham's endorsement of Kash Patel for FBI Director. Patel, a significant figure previously serving as the chief of staff to the Department of Defense under Trump's administration, has been a contentious choice due to his past comments.
In a podcast interview with Steven Bannon in 2023, Patel made controversial remarks about targeting journalists who he alleged had misrepresented facts during the Biden election campaign. These comments have raised concerns about his suitability for the role of FBI Director.
The strategy proposed by Patel involves a major restructuring of the FBI, including shutting down its headquarters in Washington, D.C. His plan would redistribute the FBI's resources and personnel throughout the country, aiming to decentralize its operations.
The interview heated up when host Margaret Brennan addressed Patel's controversial statements about the media.
She pressed Graham about whether those views were appropriate. Graham countered vigorously, challenging CBS to focus more on balanced reporting rather than scrutinizing Patel's past remarks.
“You shouldn’t worry about Kash Patel," Graham defensively remarked during the interview. "You should worry about reporting the news fairly which you don’t do when it comes to everything Trump.” This statement underscored his view that the media has not been impartial in its coverage of Trump-related news.
Margaret Brennan responded to Graham’s critiques by stating, “Lindsey Graham, you are a guest on this program because we wanted to hear you out and we welcome you back, as we often do anytime to legacy media.” Her comment reflects CBS News’ openness to diverse viewpoints despite the criticisms.
Patel’s plan to restructure the FBI revealed during the interview, proposes a drastic transformation of the bureau.
His prior role in the Department of Defense, coupled with his views on media relations and law enforcement tactics, suggests a shift towards a more dispersed and perhaps more regionally focused FBI under his leadership.
If confirmed, Patel will replace Christopher Wray, who has served as FBI Director since 2017 after James Comey was dismissed.
Wray's tenure has been marked by its challenges, including managing the bureau's integrity and public perception following high-profile investigations linked to political figures.
The proposed overhaul by Patel represents one of the most significant changes to the FBI in recent years, arguably reshaping its operational landscape. This initiative could either be seen as a way to make the bureau more efficient or as a move that could weaken its centralized command structure.
The exchange between Graham and Brennan highlighted ongoing tensions between politicians and news outlets over media coverage of political figures. This particular episode underscores the challenging balance media faces between editorial independence and accusations of bias, especially in politically charged environments.