A journalist for the news outlet MS NOW has found himself at the centre of a firestorm after making remarks that viewers interpreted as defending a gunman who killed two National Guardsmen in Washington DC.
Controversial Remarks Spark Outrage
The incident unfolded on Wednesday afternoon when correspondent Ken Dilanian speculated about the motives of the unnamed assailant. Dilanian suggested the gunman may have mistakenly identified the West Virginia guardsmen as officers from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
During his broadcast, Dilanian stated, "People walking around with uniforms in an American city. There are some Americans that might object to that — & so apparently this shooting has happened." This commentary was an apparent reference to the politically charged atmosphere surrounding ICE and its arrests of illegal migrants across the United States, which have previously led to attacks on its officers.
Immediate Backlash and Network Context
The remarks were swiftly condemned by viewers. A prominent conservative account on X, formerly known as Twitter, Breaking911, posted a clip of the segment with the caption: "MSNBC already defending the gunman who killed US troops on American soil." This highlighted the immediate and fierce criticism from right-leaning commentators.
The controversy emerges during a period of significant change for the network. MS NOW was rebranded from MSNBC just last week, following the liberal news network's formal split from its former parent company, NBC. This incident represents one of the first major tests for the newly named outlet.
Ongoing Fallout and Investigation
As a developing story, details continue to emerge. The investigation into the tragic shooting itself is ongoing, and the public reaction to Dilanian's comments is still unfolding across social media and other news platforms. The situation underscores the deep political divisions in the US, particularly on issues of immigration and national security.
The core facts remain: two National Guardsmen lost their lives, and the subsequent media analysis has itself become a major point of contention and national discourse.
