Retired General Bashes CNN For Using Unnamed Iran War Sources

Retired Brig. Gen. Mark Kimmitt had some choice words on Saturday for CNN’s use of “unnamed sources” while covering the Iran war, but anchor Omar Jimenez didn’t let the slight go without a little pushback.

“I just want to start by getting your reaction to this report that Joint Chiefs Chair Gen. Dan Caine is looking for an off-ramp from this war,” Jimenez began. “Practically speaking, what even are his options here?”

“Yeah, well first of all, I read the CNN article and I saw quotes from unnamed sources that last week were saying there were no negotiations going on, and that proved not to be true. But let’s make an assumption that some of those quotes may have been correct,” Kimmitt said, continuing:

Look, I think it’s fair to say that we are not close to achieving our strategic objectives of ending the nuclear program, ending the missile program, and cutting off support for the proxies. We do have the situation with the Strait of Hormuz. Those issues are undeniable. And I think against that background, we’ve got to understand that Gen. Caine has got to worry about the rest of the world, as well. He’s gotta worry about the threat from China, he’s gotta worry about support for Ukraine, and that’s all in the context of dwindling support options for those other combatant commanders, as Adm. [Brad] Cooper is going to get what he needs.

“But having said that, I sure wish people would go on the record rather than hind behind the quote of ‘unnamed source,'” Kimmitt added.

Jimenez jumped in, saying, “Hey, General, you said something that we preach all the time. I sure wish more folks would go on the record, too. But that’s me as a reporter.”

The CNN article in question began by saying, “Over the last few weeks, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Dan Caine has privately made clear to other top Trump advisers that the US needs to find an off-ramp from the war with Iran — because the military options on the table to escalate the conflict could backfire and airpower alone is unlikely to achieve President Donald Trump’s stated objectives, according to three sources familiar with the matter.”

“’Caine is looking for an off ramp,’ one of the sources said bluntly.”

Watch the clip above via CNN.

New: The Mediaite One-Sheet "Newsletter of Newsletters"
Your daily summary and analysis of what the many, many media newsletters are saying and reporting. Subscribe now!