60 Minutes recently broadcast a segment on Trump administration deportations that had been removed from the show’s schedule a month ago, sparking internal debates over political influences. The story, presented by correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi, focused on deportees sent to El Salvador’s harsh CECOT prison. Despite Alfonsi’s clash with CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss over the segment’s removal, the aired story did not mention the internal conflict.
Weiss’s decision to pull the story on December 21 was based on the belief that it did not adequately represent the administration’s perspective or contribute to existing reporting by other news outlets. The broadcast on Sunday featured no on-camera interviews with Trump officials but included statements from the White House and Department of Homeland Security that were not originally part of Alfonsi’s piece.
Alfonsi revealed that despite multiple attempts since November to secure on-camera interviews with key administration figures, they declined, leading her to believe it was a deliberate strategy to suppress the story. CBS News stated that they had always intended to air the CECOT piece, emphasizing their commitment to journalistic independence and storytelling prowess.
The report was the second feature on the show, following Cecilia Vega’s report on ICE enforcement efforts in Minneapolis. The decision to sideline Alfonsi’s story drew criticism, with some suggesting it was influenced by the network’s corporate leadership’s attempt to appease Trump. Although the original story had briefly surfaced online due to an error, it was swiftly removed before the broadcast.
Alfonsi’s updated report included footage related to the recent U.S. raid that captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and the administration’s response regarding migrant records in El Salvador. The administration also provided images of tattoos on interviewed migrants, including a swastika one interviewee got as a teenager unknowingly.
Since Weiss’s arrival, CBS News has seen an increased presence of Trump officials in interviews, with the president himself appearing on 60 Minutes in November. Recent incidents, such as threats of legal action if interviews are not aired in full, have highlighted evolving dynamics between CBS and the administration. Trump’s past objections to interview edits, including the release of unedited transcripts, have further underscored tensions between the parties.