Mitch

Mitch delivers the granular order-of-battle: division and brigade identifications and the presence of escort carriers and destroyers—his concise reporting supplies the factual spine that escalates the administration’s assessment.

Mitch supplies the granular order-of-battle: division names, brigades, carriers and destroyers—translating raw military reporting into the briefing’s factual backbone.

Sits through the briefing, supports information flow (signals officers to get ancillary facts), and stands ready to supply verification or additional detail as requested by Fitzwallace or the President.

Performs the practical, procedural role: reacts to Bartlet's question by signaling for phone information about the Celtics and otherwise supports the briefing flow without interjecting policy judgment.

Mitch confronts C.J. immediately after the briefing about the news magazines being moved to the fourth row; he is indignant, frames the move as a personal and institutional slight, and …

Approaches C.J. immediately after the briefing to confront her about the shifted seating for news magazines, frames the change as an affront to print reporters' status and presses for explanation …

Mitch confronts C.J. after the policy exchange about seat reshuffling, frames the move as punitive, presses for motive, and persists until C.J. cites the Correspondents' Association and closes the topic.

Mitch interrupts after the policy exchange to publicly challenge C.J.'s unilateral seating reshuffle, articulating a grievance and forcing C.J. to justify and reassert control in front of peers.

Mitch stands from the floor, directly challenges C.J., frames the seating change as punitive toward his outlet, and presses for accountability, exposing press corps sensitivity to access and optics.

Mitch, initially seated and reading, responds calmly to C.J.'s apology, asks a confirming question about the concessions, and accepts the truce with visible satisfaction and a warm closing exchange.