The TextInput element currently exposes a public focus() method which can be used by the parent for programmatic focus management (something we rely on to provide a better keyboard navigation experience to the user for certain features).
We should introduce a similar public blur() method which would be used in similar situations. In MediaSearch, the AutocompleteSearchInput component (the main search bar) needs to be able to both focus and blur the inner input element in response to various user actions (selecting/submitting a search term, etc).