Brooke Baldwin: CNN anchor apologises after suggesting US military veterans were responsible for Baltimore riots

Anchor had said many veterans returned home 'ready to do battle'

Brooke Baldwin (Twitter)

A leading US television anchor made an emotional apology after she sparked outrage by suggesting on air that US military veterans were responsible for the Baltimore riots.

In a conversation with a US politician on Tuesday afternoon, Brooke Baldwin of CNN said said a lot of young men were returning to places such as Baltimore after military service. She said she had been told this by local councillors in Baltimore

“They don’t know their communities and they are ready to do war,” Ms Baldwin said to Democrat Congressman Elijah Cummins.

Ms Baldwin’s comments sparked an outcry, especially among conservatives. with many calling for her to be fired – both for her analysis of the situation in Baltimore and for insulting military veterans.

Some voices did come to her defence, including some who said they themselves had served in the military. Mr Cummins appeared to agree with Ms Brooke's comment, saying there was a need for resources to retrain returning soldiers.

Ms Baldwin apologised on social media, saying she had many friends among military veterans and that she was repeating what she had been told by local people.

On Wednesday morning, she apologised on CNN, saying she had the utmost respect for veterans and that she had misspoke.

“To all of you I owe you a tremendous apology,” she said.