Overview
- The shelved 13-minute report, which briefly aired on Canada’s Global Television Network and then leaked online, features Venezuelan deportees alleging abusive conditions at CECOT and cites reporting that about half of the 252 men had no criminal records.
- Bari Weiss said the story was not ready, telling staff she wants senior Trump administration officials on the record and more detail on the deportees’ criminal histories before the piece airs in the United States.
- Correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi called the hold a political move, noting the segment was cleared by CBS legal and standards, and argued that government refusal to grant interviews should not function as a veto over investigative reporting.
- Axios, Fox News Digital and Townhall reported that the White House, DHS and the State Department provided statements to CBS that were not included, with the White House urging attention to Angel Parents in its response.
- White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller said on Fox News that he does not recall being contacted and called for CBS to fire the producers, as reports describe internal crisis meetings at CBS and plans by Weiss for an editorial overhaul including a formal masthead.