In this episode of our Community Issues bilingual podcast on La Pera Radio, Rafael Aguilar and I discuss the last two media interviews Chelan County Sheriff Brian Burnett has done before election day. We briefly touch upon the interview Burnett did with Dave Bernstein on KPQ Radio in October but focus on the interview Jefferson Robbins did with Burnett on the NCWLIFE Channel.
Robbins pressed Sheriff Burnett about his use of Q Anon phraseology in his campaign messaging, the wrongful terminations lawsuits that have cost the county millions, the employee satisfaction surveys that show a divided department, and his attendance at the ReAwaken America tour stop in Post Falls, Idaho in September. He also asked Burnett if he agrees that Joe Biden is the president of the United States. But Burnett demurred and referenced propagandist and fraudster Dinesh D'Souza’s widely-debunked “documentary” titled “2000 Mules” that alleges the election was stolen.
You can listen to the full episode above and follow the links for more details, but I wanted to include the audio clips we featured in this episode and a few we didn’t have the time to get to.
In this first clip, Burnett responds to the question about his decision to use the phrase “The Storm” in his campaign messaging. At first, Burnett says he learned the term was associated with the Q Anon movement in the last year or so after “Somebody put out an article accusing me of some different things.” Then about a minute later, he says he only heard about “The Storm” being associated with Q Anon because of Robbins’ question.
In the next clip, Robbins asks him about the employee satisfaction surveys that show a divided department.
In the third clip Robbins asks him about the costly wrongful termination lawsuits the county has either lost or settled and what Burnett has learned from facing them.
In the fourth clip Burnett addresses his attendance at the “ReAwaken America” tour stop in Post Falls, Idaho and Robbins asks him if he believes that Joe Biden is the lawfully-elected president of the United States. Burnett declines to give a direct answer at first and brings up the widely-debunked propaganda film “2000 Mules” produced by convicted political fraudster Dinesh D’Souza.
In the next clip, Burnett says he “doesn’t have the knowledge or the ability to say wether or not Joe Biden is not the lawfully-elected president” and when pressed by Robbins he finally admits: “I think there are some serious integrity issues and I don’t know what that vote count is.”
Then Burnett expands on his decision to attend the ReAwaken America tour stop in Idaho as well as his decision to sit down for an interview with the controversial extreme-rightwing figure and “domestic terrorist” Matt Shea for his “Patriot Radio” podcast and radio program.
In the final clip, Robbins asks Burnett about the Covid Mandate lawsuit led by Grace City Church pastor Josh McPherson against Washington State Governor Jay Inslee over public health measures in 2020. Robbins updates Burnett about the number of people who have died from Covid in Chelan County (185 to date), and asks how he feels now about signing onto a lawsuit designed to loosen public health measures during the beginning of the pandemic.
There are two notable things about this interview. First, it’s the first time Burnett has addressed his views on the 2020 presidential election and admits in a roundabout way that he believes The Big Lie. Second, it’s the first time Burnett has been pressed by a well-prepared, unwavering reporter demanding answers to questions the citizens of Chelan County have a right to know this election season.
My Two Cents
The difference between Bernstein’s interview and Robbins’ interview are night and day. On one hand you have journalism that brings new information to light and coaxes a bit of transparency from an elected official. On the other hand, you have a softball interview conducted by a fellow Grace City Church member (who doesn’t disclose the conflict of interest) that brings nothing new to light. In fact, Bernstein spends a good portion of his time lamenting that Burnett’s religious beliefs have been brought into the dialogue this election season.
Putting the outcome of this sheriff’s race aside, these two interviews are a stark reminder of why we need capable, incorruptible, honest and focused journalists who do their homework at every level of American life.
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