Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem accused CBS News of deceptive editing after key portions of her Face the Nation interview were cut—despite CBS’s recent pledge to address newsroom bias as part of its corporate merger with Skydance Media. The interview, focused on the arrest of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, was aired on September 1 with several minutes removed from the original conversation.
Noem’s edited remarks described Garcia as a “known human smuggler, MS-13 gang member,” and included references to domestic abuse and sexual assault. The Department of Homeland Security later confirmed that over 23 percent of her interview responses, amounting to nearly four minutes, were omitted from the broadcast version. CBS stated the edits were due to time constraints and released the full transcript and unedited video online.
The incident drew criticism from conservatives and media analysts, especially after CBS’s parent company, Paramount Global, had recently committed to ending DEI programming and correcting internal media bias. That pledge was part of the company’s deal with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to secure approval for its merger with Skydance Media. Skydance’s agreement included the installation of an ombudsman to ensure editorial fairness and to monitor political neutrality across CBS properties.
Noem called the editing a “whitewash” of facts related to Garcia’s criminal record. The segment in question was intended to highlight the administration’s border security policies and the role of transnational gangs like MS-13 in trafficking and violence across U.S. communities. CBS chose to air a shorter version without those comments.
The backlash places renewed scrutiny on CBS as it undergoes corporate restructuring under Skydance.
Noem’s office confirmed it would continue releasing full transcripts of major interviews to ensure transparency. The Department of Homeland Security also released a press statement detailing what had been excluded and reaffirmed the agency’s position on Garcia’s gang affiliations and immigration violations.
