CNN suspended a reporter Thursday after she posted a tweet about the U.S. House of Representatives voting to block Syrian refugees from entering the country.
House passes bill that could limit Syrian refugees. Statue of Liberty bows head in anguish @CNNPolitics https://t.co/5RvZwVftgD
Elise Labott — a CNN global affairs correspondent — was suspended for two weeks, a network source told multiple media outlets.
CNN did not immediately respond to a BuzzFeed News request for comment.
The suspension came after Labott tweeted that the "Statue of Liberty bows head in anguish." The tweet referred to the House passing a bill that would stop the resettlement of Syrian and Iraqi refugees in the U.S.
The bill was supported by House Republicans, as well as 47 Democrats. The Obama administration urged Democrats to reject the bill and has threatened a veto. However, with so much Democratic support, Republicans should have enough votes to override a presidential veto.
The bill passed amid growing concern in the U.s. about refugees in light of the Paris terror attacks last week.
Later Thursday, Labott tweeted an apology for her comment.
Everyone, It was wrong of me to editorialize. My tweet was inappropriate and disrespectful. I sincerely apologize.
Labott's initial tweet was met with complaints that she was expressing bias when she should remain neutral.
Washington Post blogger Erik Wemple criticized CNN, and The Blaze chronicled the negative reactions Labott received on Twitter.
@eliselabottcnn @CNNPolitics Tweets like this reflect an anti-American bias and an ignorance of American history
@eliselabottcnn @CNNPolitics wow, great objective reporting there. nice work.
In an indication of how divisive the refugee issue itself is, however, Labott also received support on Twitter, including from members of the media.
Gives you a clear sense of the incredibly repressive climate at CNN & other cable networks over Paris & Muslims https://t.co/VJ55hfmlRc
If @eliselabottcnn's tweet warrants that punishment, I should be permanently unemployed
CNN is dumb for suspending you for this tweet and major props to you for posting it @eliselabottcnn