On Sunday, on the eve of Donald Trump’s second inauguration, CNN chief Mark Thompson held an editorial planning meeting with the network’s top anchors, correspondents, and producers to prepare for the next day’s historic proceedings. In the meeting, which was held virtually, Thompson stressed the need to provide dispassionate, open-minded coverage of the incoming president and focus on his future term, rather than relitigating the past or dwelling on his convictions or impeachments. His remarks were broadly interpreted by staff as a directive to avoid the often critical, and occasionally emotional, stance that characterized CNN’s coverage of Trump’s first term, when the network was led by Jeff Zucker.