Florida judge explodes at CNN lawyers in tense court clash over network’s ‘credibility’

A Florida judge exploded at CNN attorneys Wednesday morning during a high-stakes trial, discussing alleged defamation and the network’s “credibility.”

Bay County-based Judge William Henry lost his cool during Wednesday’s defamation hearing when the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit Court judge alleged that left-wing lawyers made “blatant misrepresentations” and lacked “professionalism.”

“We don’t do lawyers like this here,” Henry said. “In this case, we won’t do anything crazy anymore.”

The damning defamation case was caused by Zachary Young, a security agent who brought people out of Afghanistan.

Young is claiming a November 2021 segment on CNN’s The Lead in which Jake Tapper falsely portrayed him as an “illegal profiteer” who exploited “desperate Afghans” with “exorbitant” compensation amid President Biden’s withdrawal from the country.

Throughout the week-long procedure, Henry’s frustrations over the “lack of professionalism” continued to grow and continue seemingly initiated by – and ultimately largely aimed at – CNN’s chief consultant David Axelrod.

At one point during the seventh day of proceedings during a discovery hearing, Henry called the legal team’s belated discovery efforts akin to “kindergarten” level antics – and not those of lawyers with law degrees.

“This isn’t kindergarten,” Henry said. “You all graduated from kindergarten a long, long, long time ago, or at least that’s what it says, because you all have a bar license.”

The damning defamation case was caused by Zachary Young (pictured), a security agent who brought people out of Afghanistan

Henry continued to investigate Axelrod, claiming that the veteran attorney was merely doing what his opposition had done, yet trying to paint the picture differently.

Henry granted Young’s attorney’s request for an additional presentation to discuss a late-stage document, but the prosecutor rested late Tuesday afternoon.

“I think it’s rich that we’re making discovery at the same time that a motion to quash is being filed; arguing that the plaintiffs are breaking the rules by issuing subpoenas while the defense is doing the exact same thing.” Henry said, aiming at Axelrod.

But Axelrod argued that Young was trying to “circumvent” his own discovery obligations and said the plaintiff did indeed have access to the document in question.

That was the last straw for Henry, who then intensely questioned the CNN affiliate.

“I can make sure the court reporter reads exactly what you said,” the then-enraged judge told Axelrod as he gestured to the city official.

“But I think I literally said exactly what you said,” Henry added.

Axelrod tried to make it clear, “Your Honor, the point I’m trying to make…” he began before being interrupted by an incensed Henry.

“I am tired of these blatant misrepresentations being made,” Henry shouted.

“And they are made by both of you,” Henry said of both legal parties.

“And maybe they’re not 100 percent lies. Maybe they’re leaving out a little bit of the truth. And making representations so that you can gently say, “Well, I didn’t exactly say that.”

Henry then attacked Axelrod for the many times he called the plaintiff a liar, claiming he did not know how many times the attorney had done so and threatening to consult the transcript.

Young claims a November 2021 segment on CNN’s The Lead with Jake Tapper (pictured) falsely portrayed him as an “illegal profiteer” who exploited “desperate Afghans” with “exorbitant” compensation amid President Biden’s withdrawal from the country

During the week-long proceeding, Henry’s frustrations over the “lack of professionalism” continued to mount and were seemingly initiated by – and ultimately seemed largely targeted – CNN’s chief counsel David Axelrod (pictured)

“In his statement he acknowledged his safety; his safety was in the hands of Helios Global,” Henry continued.

“That’s exactly what that document is and exactly what he testified about. I think an apology from you is clearly in order, to Mr Young, for the number of times in this court – and streamed around the world – you have called Mr Young a liar for failing to to make public a document that was not – that you have no evidence that he was in custody or under his control.’

Young has since been allowed to introduce the surprise document and question a Helios Global representative about the document before the jury.

The judge also reserved the right to impose sanctions regarding the entire case.