Center · Watch · October 21, 2026
Oct 20 · DOJ charges 28 in California, presses on 20,000-name voter list
Scripps News: DOJ admits noncitizen voter roll purge could lead to removal of valid voters
Grade D (64/100). DOJ admits list may hold citizens
Lehrer score 64/100 (−12 loaded wording: loaded wording in the anchor's own voice: “[0:14] caught up in the dragnet.”; −24 own-voice claim/analysis: reporter's own-voice characterization of DOJ: “[2:49] they're really celebrating the fact that they are arresting people”). Fixed scale: 90+ A, 80s B, 70s C, 60s D, under 60 F → D.
Airs McCotter's own words ([0:56] “We're not perfect”) and California's response. Loaded: [0:16] “caught up in the dragnet”; own voice: “really celebrating.”
Agrees: 28 charged; DOJ wants California's cooperation
Splits: Only clip with McCotter's admission on tape and a 131-case DOJ tally
- Met. Rule: assume there is at least one other side (DOJ and California both heard)
- Broken. Rule: assume the viewer is as smart and as caring and as good a person as I am (no loaded words) ([0:14] caught up in the dragnet.)
- Broken. Rule: carefully separate and label opinion and analysis ([2:49] they're really celebrating the fact that they are arresting people)
Same story: ABC30 Fresno (ABC affiliate), The National Desk (Sinclair)