The White House is set to push news organizations to increase criticism of an impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden by House Republicans, CNN reported Tuesday.
"It’s time for the media to ramp up its scrutiny of House Republicans for opening an impeachment inquiry based on lies," reads the draft copy of a letter from White House spokesman Ian Sams, obtained by CNN, that the administration reportedly plans to send to executives at the news outlets.
The letter is set to be delivered to CNN, Fox News, the New York Times, and others. Sams argues in the letter that the impeachment inquiry, which he claims is not backed by evidence, should "set off alarm bells for news organizations."
"Covering impeachment as a process story—Republicans say X, but the White House says Y—is a disservice to the American public who relies on the independent press to hold those in power accountable," Sams said in the letter.
The letter has received pushback from members of the press.
Former Reuters reporter Matthew Keys said it is "not OK" for the White House to be "encouraging, influencing or interfering in the editorial strategies of America’s newsrooms, including CNN and the New York Times."
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R.) on Tuesday gave the go ahead on the inquiry, calling it "the logical next step."
House Republicans are investigating the president's involvement in the family's overseas business dealings, as well as potential politicization of the Justice Department's investigation into first son Hunter Biden.