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 SessionsThe shifting impeachment positions of Jonathan Turley Rosenstein, Sessions discussed firing Comey in late 2016 or early 2017: FBI notes Justice Dept releases another round of summaries from Mueller probe MORE, had been hired by the news network. She also was a former political operative for Sen. Mitt Romney
Willard (Mitt) Mitt RomneyStatesmen seek bipartisan solutions to big challenges Georgia ready for unpredictable Senate race Impeachment can't wait MORE (R-Utah), Sen. Ted Cruz
Rafael (Ted) Edward CruzTrade deal talks expand as Congress debates tech legal shield Sanders meets with MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred Cruz knocks Chick-fil-A over past donation: It has 'lost its way' 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-CortezOcasio-Cortez: 'Won't you look at that: Amazon is coming to NYC anyway' House approves two-state resolution in implicit rebuke of Trump Biden: Media misinterpreted Ocasio-Cortez's impact on Democrats 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 TrumpTrump says he will 'temporarily hold off' on declaring Mexican drug cartels as terror organization House Judiciary Committee formally receives impeachment report Artist behind gold toilet offered to Trump sells banana duct-taped to a wall for 0,000 MORE.
Updated at 9:57 a.m.
