CNN host Abby Phillip responded harshly Monday to her conservative “News Night” commentator Scott Jennings, which made several panelists laugh.
Newark Mayor Ras Baraka participated in defense of Rep. Lamonica McIver (DN.J.), who was accused of assaulting federal agents on Monday, both protested at the New Jersey Detention Center where New Jersey immigrated earlier this month.
The Department of Homeland Security shared footage from the protests and claimed McIver was “attacking” an agent who tried to detain Baraka, who was arrested outside the facility for suspected trespassing during the May 9 protest.
When Baraka told “News Night” he didn’t see McIver attacking anyone in a chaotic skirmish, Jennings pushed back.
“I mean, the video is clear, isn’t it?” Jennings was pressing. “I mean, she’s pushing – elbows, some fists – I mean, this is violence against law enforcement, isn’t it?”
Baraka agrees that the videos are “clear”, but it just shows that there are “a lot of push and push” on both sides.
This prompted Jennings to giggle, “A common man, if they come, did that to federal officials, escape?”
That was when Philip pounced.
“They may pardon,” she replied, prompting laughter from Baraka and former presidential candidate Cornel West.
Jennings ignored the comment. He had previously defended Trump for pardoning about 1,500 people sentenced to crimes related to the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot.
New Jersey interim prosecutor Alina Habba said Monday that she was revoking Baraka’s trespassing case but was accusing McIver of assault, obstruction and interference with law enforcement.
Delaney Hall, a drug treatment center, was then closed in 2023 and reopened for immigration detention after Trump initiated a massive deportation in January.
Democratic strategist Julie Roginsky also called the case “rot from beginning to end” during “News Night”.
“Pam Bondi is the attorney general of the United States; it was ultimately her decision,” she said.[But ]Pam Bondi is a lobbyist for the Geo Group, which owns Delaney Hall, which has a $1.2 billion “B” contract at Delaney Hall. ”
