Rep Burchett’s Epic One-Liner Leaves CNN’s Jim Acosta Speechless [WATCH]

Republican Congressman Tim Burchett of Tennessee faced off with CNN anchor Jim Acosta during a nine-minute segment on Wednesday, sparring over President Donald Trump’s decision to issue mass pardons for January 6 Capitol protesters.

The exchange highlighted stark differences over Trump’s leadership and the media’s focus on the former president.

On Monday, President Trump signed an executive order granting “full, complete, and unconditional pardons” to approximately 1,500 individuals involved in the January 6, 2021, Capitol breach.

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During the interview on CNN Newsroom, Acosta pressed Burchett to condemn Trump’s decision, but the congressman pushed back, questioning the anchor’s motives.

“This is a political world, Jim. And I don’t remember you all on CNN condemning [former President] Joe Biden for commuting the sentences of murderers and child molesters, which he did,” Burchett said.

Acosta attempted to steer the conversation back to the January 6 pardons. “Congressman, I’m not asking about that. Congressman, we talked about Joe Biden’s pardons,” he responded.

Burchett disputed Acosta’s claim, pointing out that Biden had commuted the sentences of 37 individuals in December, including some who had been convicted of heinous crimes such as mass murder and rape.

When asked if Trump’s pardons were justified, Burchett refrained from offering a definitive opinion, stating, “I don’t know if it is or not. I’m not a lawyer.”

Acosta countered, insisting that Burchett’s position as a congressman meant he could and should “take a stand.”

Burchett argued that many of the protesters “were not given due process,” referencing a March 2024 decision by a D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals panel that found some January 6 defendants had faced wrongful extensions of their sentences.

The exchange grew heated when Acosta suggested that Burchett’s stance on Trump’s pardons betrayed law enforcement. “Are you not supporting police and betraying the blue?” Acosta asked.

Burchett fired back, accusing CNN of ignoring violence against police officers during nationwide protests in recent years.

“Jim, why don’t you just give an editorial and not let me come on? Look, what happened to the last four years with police? What happened with all the riots that took place all across the country? Police officers were murdered,” Burchett said.

“Courthouses were burned. Over 22 police cars were burned. Yet no one went to jail for that. Where is your crocodile tears for that?”

Burchett also accused CNN of failing to adequately cover violence during Black Lives Matter protests, a claim Acosta denied.

“This is not Fox [News], congressman. You can’t just spin a tale and pull the wool over people’s eyes,” Acosta retorted.

“This is CNN. This is the news. We are asking you to come on and tell the truth.”

In response, Burchett criticized CNN’s coverage priorities, saying, “That’s why more people are watching the Cartoon Network, Spongebob reruns right now, Jim. Look, I left the White House during a riot. My life was threatened. My life has been threatened within the last few weeks, yet there’s no coverage of that.”

Burchett accused Acosta of being unable to accept Trump’s 2024 victory.

“You just can’t stand the fact that he won and that America spoke. And that your view is very diminished,” he said.

Acosta denied the accusation, claiming he was being “sincere” in questioning the rationale behind Trump’s January 6 pardons.

While Acosta pressed Burchett for clear condemnation, the congressman remained steadfast in defending Trump’s actions and questioning the media’s treatment of the issue.

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