CNN reportedly suspended global affairs correspondent Elise Labott after she reacted Thursday on Twitter to a House vote on legislation that would make it harder for Syrian refugees to enter the U.S.
Despite a veto threat from the White House, many House Democrats joined Republicans in passing a bill that would effectively suspend the admission of Syrian and Iraqi refugees to the U.S. Labott tweeted about the vote, adding: “Statue of Liberty bows head in anguish.”
House passes bill that could limit Syrian refugees. Statue of Liberty bows head in anguish @CNNPolitics https://t.co/5RvZwVftgD
— Elise Labott (@eliselabottcnn) November 19, 2015
She tweeted an apology for “editorializing” hours later:
Everyone, It was wrong of me to editorialize. My tweet was inappropriate and disrespectful. I sincerely apologize.
— Elise Labott (@eliselabottcnn) November 20, 2015
As The Washington Post’s Erik Wemple pointed out, CNN doesn’t tolerate its reporters revealing a partisan bias—although anchors like Don Lemon seem to have more leeway in expressing opinions.
Anonymous CNN sources told Wemple and Politico that Labott had been suspended for two weeks. A CNN spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment by TPM.
