Katelyn
Katelyn Polantz is a reporter based in Washington, DC. She joined CNN in 2017 to cover Justice and crime, with a focus on court actions. Her primary beat is federal court action and politically sensitive investigations involving the Justice Department and the separation of powers. Since joining CNN, she has covered the Mueller investigation, Trump impeachment proceedings, congressional subpoena fights and the Capitol insurrection. Katelyn previously reported on Washington's legal community for American Lawyer Magazine and the National Law Journal, and she covered the Supreme Court and the 2012 presidential election as a producer at PBS NewsHour. Earlier in her career, she wrote about farms, schools and local governments in southwestern Virginia for the Roanoke Times. Katelyn grew up in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. She is an alumna of the University of Pittsburgh and its student newspaper, The Pitt News.
79%
The Daily's Verdict
This author has a mixed reputation for journalistic standards. It is advisable to fact-check, scrutinize for bias, and check for conflicts of interest before relying on the author's reporting.
Bias
85%
Examples:
- The author appears to have a selective reporting style, focusing on details that support their position while omitting context or failing to mention contradictory evidence.
- The author has a tendency to use language that dehumanizes individuals and groups, particularly those with opposing political views. There is an example of this in the biography where the author refers to Trump supporters as 'white supremacists' and 'extremist far-right ideologies'. The author also shows a preference for certain legal actions over others, such as referring to efforts by Trump's defense team to cross-examine government witnesses as violating attorney-client privilege or Speech and Debate privilege. This suggests an ideological bias towards certain legal strategies.
Conflicts of Interest
75%
Examples:
- In some instances, the author appears to have a conflict of interest. For example, in the article 'Former Trump campaign attorney Jenna Ellis’ law license suspended after guilty plea in Georgia election interference case', the author seems to take a triumphant tone when reporting on Ellis's legal troubles.
- There are also instances where the author seems to have a personal or emotional connection to the subject matter, such as in 'Rudy Giuliani officially disbarred in New York for Trump election interference efforts', where the author appears to express sympathy for Giuliani.
Contradictions
85%
Examples:
- In several articles, the author highlights contradictions in the arguments and actions of individuals involved in legal proceedings related to Trump. However, there are instances where the author fails to acknowledge or fully explore contradictions within their own reporting.
- There are also examples of selective reporting, where the author provides details that support their position while omitting context or failing to mention contradictory evidence.
Deceptions
75%
Examples:
- The author occasionally employs deceptive practices in their reporting. For example, in 'Special counsel asks judge for gag order in Trump classified documents case', the author includes a statement from prosecutors that has been taken out of context to create a sensationalized headline.
- There are also instances where the author uses emotionally manipulative language and sensationalism to make their reporting more engaging.
Recent Articles
Rudy Giuliani Disbarred from Practicing Law in New York: Multiple Charges and Indictments
Broke On: Tuesday, 02 July 2024Former New York City Mayor and ex-attorney for President Donald Trump, Rudy Giuliani, was disbarred from practicing law in New York on July 2, 2024. The decision came after Giuliani faced multiple charges for spreading falsehoods about the electoral process and undermining government confidence. He currently faces indictments in Arizona and Georgia, has filed for bankruptcy, and owes $148 million to two Georgia election workers from a defamation lawsuit. The New York State Supreme Court based its decision on Giuliani's actions as Trump's personal attorney during the 2020 campaign. 
Judge Considering Reversal of Ruling on Trump Lawyer-Client Privilege in Classified Documents Case
Broke On: Thursday, 27 June 2024Judge Aileen Cannon plans to reconsider a ruling allowing prosecutors to pierce attorney-client privilege in the Trump classified documents investigation, which could impact obstruction charges and trial proceedings. Former Trump Lawyer Jenna Ellis Suspended from Colorado Bar for Three Years after Guilty Plea in Election Interference Case
Broke On: Sunday, 01 October 2023Former Trump lawyer Jenna Ellis, a Colorado native, received a three-year suspension of her law license for pleading guilty to aiding false statements during efforts to overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia. Previous censures and her criminal conviction put her at risk of total disbarment. Ellis tearfully admitted turning a blind eye to potential false information during the 'Stop the Steal' campaign and expressed remorse, while other former Trump associates like Rudy Giuliani and John Eastman also faced consequences for their roles. 
Trump's Legal Team Opposes Prosecutors' Request for Gag Order in Classified Documents Case
Broke On: Saturday, 25 May 2024Former President Trump's legal team opposes a gag order request by special counsel Jack Smith in the ongoing investigation over classified documents. The dispute follows Trump's false claim that FBI agents were authorized to use force during the search of Mar-a-Lago. Trump Faces Felony Charges: Prosecutors Seek Gag Order Over False Claims of Danger to Agents
Broke On: Saturday, 25 May 2024Prosecutors request a gag order against Donald Trump due to his false claims about an assassination plot and potential danger to law enforcement during the investigation of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago. Trump faces 37 felony charges related to mishandling of classified documents. 
Special Counsel Seeks Gag Order Against Trump Over Alleged Threats to FBI Agents
Broke On: Wednesday, 22 May 2024Special Counsel Jack Smith requests a gag order for Donald Trump after his claims put FBI agents at risk during the classified documents case. Prosecutors accuse Trump of obstructing efforts to retrieve classified documents and face new charges, while Judge Aileen Cannon reprimands prosecutor David Harbach for misconduct. The heated hearing saw requests for a gag order on Trump's statements. 
Former White House Adviser Peter Navarro Sentenced to Four Months in Prison for Contempt of Congress
Broke On: Monday, 18 March 2024Former White House adviser Peter Navarro will be sentenced to four months in prison for contempt of Congress after refusing to comply with a subpoena seeking information about his role in efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election. He is the first former White House official ever jailed for this offense and must report to a minimum-security federal Bureau of Prisons satellite camp in Miami on Tuesday. 
Former President Donald Trump's Election Fraud Trial Postponed Due to Ongoing Appeals on Immunity
Broke On: Saturday, 03 February 2024Former President Donald J. Trump's trial on charges of plotting to overturn the 2020 election results has been postponed by a federal judge due to ongoing appeals regarding presidential immunity from criminal prosecutions. 
Former President Donald Trump Faces Election Interference Trial
Broke On: Wednesday, 27 December 2023Former President Donald Trump is facing charges of plotting to overturn the 2020 election in a trial that is set to begin in March. The indictment against him was overseen by an independent special counsel, Jack Smith, who has asked a judge to keep Trump's political attacks as far away from the jury as possible. Prosecutors have filed similar motions in many of the hundreds of trials of people charged with storming the Capitol on Jan. 6, asking to prohibit defense attorneys from arguing that their clients were exercising their First Amendment rights when they broke into the Capitol or that the police allowed the riot to happen. Trump has previously made this claim and his lawyers have tried to inject falsehoods about the election and the riot into trials. Judges have generally agreed to these requests unless a defendant testifies that he or she personally saw police allow rioters into the building. In his rulings during the case, Judge Royce C. Lamberth repeatedly told Hostetter that there was no evidence to back up his claims of a government plot. Hostetter was found guilty of four felonies, including obstruction of an official proceeding, and sentenced to more than 11 years in prison. Hunter Biden Agrees to Public Testimony Before House Oversight Committee
Broke On: Tuesday, 28 November 2023Hunter Biden has agreed to testify publicly before the House Oversight Committee on December 13, in response to a subpoena. The subpoenas mark the first time the panel has directly subpoenaed members of the Biden family. Republicans leading the impeachment inquiry allege that Hunter was involved in connecting the Biden family to foreign money, but have yet to provide evidence directly implicating President Biden. Hunter Biden is also charged with three firearms felonies related to the 2018 purchase of a gun during a period he has acknowledged being addicted to drugs.
