Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks at a rally at the Fort Worth Convention Center on February 26, 2016 in Fort Worth, Texas. Tom Pennington\/Getty Images <\/p>\n
Republicans disagreed this weekend with President Donald Trump 's claim that the media is the \"enemy\" of the American people . <\/p>\n
Trump has repeatedly attacked what he calls the \"FAKE NEWS media,\" and on Friday he lashed out on Twitter, saying outlets like the New York Times , NBC News, ABC, CBS and CNN are the \"enemy of the American People!\" <\/p>\n
Following the attacks, members of his administration and party defended the need for a free press. <\/p>\n
Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said on Sunday that he had no problems with the press. <\/p>\n
\"I've had some rather contentious times with the press. But no, the press, as far as I'm concerned are a constituency that we deal with,\" Mattis said when asked about Trump's criticism during a trip to the Middle East. \"And I don't have any issues with the press, myself.\" <\/p>\n
Arizona Sen. John McCain came out strongly against Trump's assertion during an interview with NBC's Meet the Press . <\/p>\n
\"That's how dictators get started,\" he said of Trump's tweet about the media. Later, McCain said a free press is \"vital.\" <\/p>\n
South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham partially echoed McCain during an interview with CBS's Face the Nation , although he scolded the press for \"acting more like an opposition party\" when it comes to reporting on Trump and urged reporters to step up their game. <\/p>\n
\"The backbone of democracy is a free press and an independent judiciary, and they're worth fighting and dying for,\" Graham said. \"The bottom line is America is not becoming a dictatorship.\" <\/p>\n
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Republicans Speak Out on Freedom of the Press After President Trump Calls Media the 'Enemy' - Fortune<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks at a rally at the Fort Worth Convention Center on February 26, 2016 in Fort Worth, Texas. Tom Pennington\/Getty Images Republicans disagreed this weekend with President Donald Trump 's claim that the media is the \"enemy\" of the American people . Trump has repeatedly attacked what he calls the \"FAKE NEWS media,\" and on Friday he lashed out on Twitter, saying outlets like the New York Times , NBC News, ABC, CBS and CNN are the \"enemy of the American People!\" Following the attacks, members of his administration and party defended the need for a free press Continue reading