CBS News withdrew a segment from its renowned program “60 Minutes” that focused on Venezuelan men deported by the Trump administration. The segment was scheduled to air on December 22, 2025, and included accounts of the men’s treatment at a maximum-security prison in El Salvador, described by one as “brutal.” The network stated that the segment “needed more reporting,” a justification that raised eyebrows among staff.
Sharyn Alfonsi, a veteran correspondent for “60 Minutes,” expressed her concern in an internal memo, arguing that the decision to pull the segment was politically motivated. She claimed that the program had undergone five screenings and had been approved by CBS attorneys and Standards and Practices. “In my view, pulling it now, after every rigorous internal check has been met, is not an editorial decision; it is a political one,” Alfonsi stated.
According to the New York Times, the decision to shelve the segment came from Bari Weiss, CBS’s editor-in-chief, who allegedly requested multiple changes before the airing. Among her suggestions was the inclusion of an interview with Stephen Miller, the White House deputy chief of staff known for his role in shaping the Trump administration’s immigration policy. Weiss also expressed concerns over the term “migrants” used to describe the deported men, arguing that it was not appropriate given their legal status in the U.S.
Weiss defended her actions, indicating that the story “wasn’t ready.” She emphasized the importance of maintaining a newsroom environment where contentious editorial discussions can take place with respect. “The only newsroom I’m interested in running is one in which we can have contentious disagreements about the thorniest editorial matters,” she told a CNN reporter.
Alfonsi further alleged that the decision to retract the segment was influenced by a lack of political approval from the Trump administration. She noted that various departments were contacted for comment regarding the segment’s removal. “If the administration’s refusal to participate becomes a valid reason to spike a story, we have effectively handed them a ‘kill switch’ for any reporting they find inconvenient,” she cautioned.
The controversy surrounding this decision has sparked broader discussions about journalistic integrity and the influence of external political pressures on media organizations. Many observers are concerned that such actions may undermine the longstanding reputation of “60 Minutes” as a bastion of investigative journalism.
As the public discourse unfolds, the implications for CBS News and its editorial independence remain significant. The network’s handling of this situation could have lasting effects on its credibility and relationship with both its audience and the political landscape.
