And that was before he co-authored the contentious book, “Original Sin,” quickly embarking on a relentless quest for interviews to brazenly promote the book. His campaign, however, only led to multiple instances of embarrassment—each time as he desperately tried to absolve himself from accusations of double-dealing in the unsuccessful attempt to cover up former President Joe Biden’s cognitive issues.

Nevertheless, Jake continued to deepen his embarrassing situation on Thursday’s episode of his unseemly show “The Lead.” He did so by twice declining to fact-check Democrat Sen. Tammy Duckworth (IL), who disputed the account of Tapper’s CNN colleague. This colleague had spoken just minutes before Duckworth’s appearance about far-left Sen. Alex Padilla’s (CA) antics during a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) press conference, where Padilla entered the room and approached DHS Secretary Noem as she was speaking. 

Padilla then pretended to fight against removal from the room, and was ultimately forced to the ground and handcuffed. 

Early in the program, Tapper spoke with CNN correspondent Stephanie Elam, who attended the press conference, to clarify the sequence of events. 

Elam reported that Noem had initiated her remarks when Padilla burst into the room, yelling at her. It was only after her security stepped in and initiated his removal that Padilla revealed his identity—however, he did so without showing any appropriate credentials.

Elam told Tapper:

Now, her press conference had started. She was in the middle of talking when he did just start talking. And that’s the other key point. He started talking first. And when he started talking, he took a couple of steps. It was not a lunge as it’s been characterized. And then there were immediately hands on him from her detailed people pushing him away and back and moving him away from – then during that time, is when he identified himself. So, he did not identify himself first when he was asking the question and interrupting her.

Tapper later brought on Duckworth — who I should note wasn’t at the press conference — to get the histrionic response to Padilla’s performative theatrics and subsequent handcuffing. During their conversation, Duckworth twice gave a fictitious chronology of the events (lied herself silly) that didn’t correspond with what CNN’s own reporter had just told Tapper. 

Here’s Duckworth:

Well, just watch the video. I mean, within the first two seconds of him standing up, he identified himself as “I’m Senator Alex Padilla.” He identifies exactly who he is. He tries to ask a question. He tries to do what every American has the right to do, which is your First Amendment rights. And what we see the response is, is really, you know, a pure, un-American authoritarianism. And it should scare us all, because if they can do this to a U.S. senator, they can do this to the average American.

Please, Ms. Duckworth. 

In addition to Duckworth’s story about Padilla not adding up, no American has a “right” to interrupt a press conference and start shouting at the speaker — particular at a government official. Tammy might want to reread the First Amendment — assuming she’s ever read it.

Tapper asked Duckworth if, in her view, Padilla’s actions could have been interpreted by security guards as a risk. Remember, as multiple credible reports said, security — and likely most of the people in the room — had no idea who the senator from California was.