Staff Reports
It’s evident that mainstream media channels like CNN and MSNBC have taken to the phrase “constitutional crisis” like kids to candy, especially post-February 3. That date has now turned into a watermark for media overreaction, thanks to Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) announcing the closure of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). A keyword search by the Daily Caller News Foundation uncovered that the term was flung around over 200 times since that fateful announcement. Clearly, when the left sees a challenge to their narrative, they spare no hyperbole in sounding the alarm.
Marco Rubio, the Secretary of State, weighed in during a press conference in El Salvador, questioning the efficacy of an agency he described as “completely unresponsive.” It’s no surprise that USAID, embroiled in its own controversies, drew scrutiny—especially after DOGE representatives were reportedly met with a standoff at its Washington headquarters. One would think a government agency would be eager to work with oversight but apparently, they preferred playing gatekeepers rather than being accountable. Perhaps they were too busy coming up with their next grand bureaucratic project.
As expected, those left-leaning outlets went into overdrive. MSNBC’s intrepid hosts used “constitutional crisis” a staggering 141 times within just a few days, while CNN chimed in with a more modest yet still bombastic 69. The noteworthy uptick in alarmist rhetoric sparked like fireworks over the recent criticisms from Vice President JD Vance towards Obama-appointed Judge Paul A. Engelmayer, who dared to issue an injunction restricting access to the Treasury Department’s funding systems. With judges stepping into executive territory, it’s no wonder the media feels the need to feign outrage.
MSNBC and CNN have used the phrase 210 times from 12:01 AM on Feb. 3 to noon on Feb. 11, of which 125 have been on Feb. 10 and 11, the two days after @JDVance criticized a federal judge's injunction.https://t.co/9XsLyHG1bh
— Harold Hutchison (@HaroldHutchison) February 11, 2025
On programs like “Morning Joe” and “Deadline: White House,” the phrase gained even more traction, receiving airplay during segments that resembled a comedy of errors more than any serious legal analysis. The notion that a sitting Vice President could critique judicial overreach sent the talking heads into a tailspin. Predictably, one professor likened it to “a genuine constitutional violation” in a theatrical tirade, despite clearly not having a grasp on the principles of checks and balances. A free government system does not automatically operate by means of judicial dominance.
In summary, the media’s obsession with labeling the Musk-led changes as a “constitutional crisis” exemplifies its struggle to grapple with the evolving dynamics of power and accountability in government. The real crisis lies in the fact that these networks have resorted to inflating concerns to maintain the rhetoric of chaos instead of addressing the actual issues at hand. Paint the situation with a broad brush all they want, but the truth is that conservatism aims to restore order when others seek to sow confusion.
