CNN is facing blowback from news outlets, pundits and politicians, as well as some its own employees, for hiring a former Republican operative as its Washington bureau political editor.
The criticism comes after a Tuesday report that Sarah Isgur Flores, who served as spokeswoman to former Attorney General Jeff Sessions
Jefferson (Jeff) Beauregard SessionsMSNBC host: Barr 'the most dangerous person' who works for Trump Chris Wallace: AG Barr 'clearly is protecting' Trump Appeals court rules Trump end of DACA was unlawful MORE, had been hired by the news network. She also was a former political operative for Sen. Mitt Romney
Willard (Mitt) Mitt RomneyOvernight Health Care — Presented by PCMA — McConnell, Kaine offer bill to raise tobacco buying age to 21 | Measles outbreak spreads to 24 states | Pro-ObamaCare group launches ad blitz to protect Dems Dem senator: Many Republicans 'privately expressed concerns' about Mueller findings Romney expresses opposition to Alabama abortion ban MORE (R-Utah), Sen. Ted Cruz
Rafael (Ted) Edward CruzCruz slams Jim Carrey's 'vicious, angry' painting of Alabama governor after abortion ban Eye-popping number of Dems: I can beat Trump 'SleepyCreepy Joe' and 'Crazy Bernie': Trump seeks to define 2020 Dems with insults MORE (R-Texas) and Carly Fiorina.
CNN confirmed the hire to Politico, but has released no official announcement with details around its decision.
The Hill has reached out to CNN for comment.
The headlines around the move were scathing, with many asking why the network would hire a political operative.
"CNN hires GOP operative with no journalism experience to coordinate its 2020 coverage," reads one Vox headline.
"CNN Just Set the New Standard for Corporate Media's Chickensh*t Catering to Republicans," says another in Esquire.
"WTF?!?! CNN Staffers ‘Demoralized’ by Hiring of GOP Operative Sarah Isgur to Edit 2020 Coverage," according to a Daily Beast report.
Political figures, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
Alexandria Ocasio-CortezSteve Bullock puts Citizens United decision at center of presidential push Fix the climate with smaller families Dem Sen. Markey faces potential primary challenge in Massachusetts MORE (D-N.Y.), also weighed in on the hire.
"Sorry, didn’t get the latest memo after 1,000 experienced and qualified journalists of all stripes were let go w/o warning a few weeks ago and still looking for work: are we still pretending that hires like these are evidence of a meritocracy?" she asked rhetorically.
Sorry, didn’t get the latest memo after 1,000 experienced + qualified journalists of all stripes were let go w/o warning a few weeks ago and still looking for work: are we still pretending that hires like these are evidence of a meritocracy? https://t.co/Qb9JNgcdT2
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) February 20, 2019
Many media members also pointed out Flores's lack of journalism experience.
WHAT? Ex-Jeff Sessions spokeswoman Sarah Isgur Flores is joining CNN as a political editor. https://t.co/7WXuOnbMce
— Josh Dawsey (@jdawsey1) February 19, 2019
But back to Sarah Isgur Flores and CNN for a second: Remember that she *pledged loyalty to Trump* in order to get her last job. But hey, sure, have her coordinate your 2020 coverage, CNN. Sure that'll be fair and not full of empty podiums/free Trump ads. https://t.co/c8mhZzVpSZ
— Parker Molloy (@ParkerMolloy) February 19, 2019
Throwback to when Sarah Isgur Flores heckled Jeff Zucker about CNN's Trump coverage in 2016!https://t.co/ZrT2AQSREk pic.twitter.com/9mxP64WYG9
— Katherine Miller (@katherinemiller) February 19, 2019
From Carly to Sessions to CNN: Sarah Isgur Flores https://t.co/jxeCuc4iIS
— Shane Goldmacher (@ShaneGoldmacher) February 19, 2019
How many thousands of qualified journalists would have to turn down this job before CNN would make this mistake? https://t.co/8wU4bgkhDG
— Lawrence O'Donnell (@Lawrence) February 20, 2019
.@CNN your political director called you the Clinton News Network pic.twitter.com/CZdejic3fF
— Jesse Lehrich (@JesseLehrich) February 19, 2019
CNN's new political editor has worked for every Republican but hasn't done any journalism pic.twitter.com/2q1oAgj7dB
— Simon Maloy (@SimonMaloy) February 19, 2019
CNN faced criticism earlier this year after hiring John Kasich, with some questioning why the network gave the former Republican governor of Ohio a national platform to ostensibly to push an eventual primary challenge to President Trump
Donald John TrumpThe Hill's Morning Report - White House, Congress: Urgency of now around budget GOP presses Trump to make a deal on spending Democrats wary of handing Trump a win on infrastructure MORE.
Updated at 9:57 a.m.
