DHS Alleges CBS Edited Over 23% of Secretary Noem's Interview on MS-13 Member

Washington D.C. – Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem has accused CBS of "shamefully editing" her recent interview on "Face the Nation," alleging that the network removed over 23% of the footage, specifically concerning her statements about alleged MS-13 gang member Kilmar Abrego Garcia. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a press release detailing the alleged edits, claiming CBS "whitewashed the truth" about Garcia and other topics.

Secretary Noem stated, "This morning, I joined CBS to report the facts about Kilmar Abrego Garcia. Instead, CBS shamefully edited the interview to whitewash the truth about this MS-13 gang member and the threat he poses to American public safety." According to DHS, nearly four minutes of the 16-minute, 40-second interview were cut from the broadcast.

Among the alleged omissions, DHS highlighted a 25-second segment where Secretary Noem described Garcia as "a known human smuggler, MS-13 gang member, an individual who was a wife beater, and someone who was um so perverted that he solicited nude photos from minors." She emphasized that "he needs to never be in the United States of America."

Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran native, is currently in ICE custody and faces human smuggling charges in Tennessee, to which he has pleaded not guilty. His lawyers have sought to bar Trump administration officials, including Secretary Noem, from making public statements about him, arguing such comments prejudice his right to a fair trial. Garcia was mistakenly deported to El Salvador earlier this year despite a 2019 immigration judge's order preventing his removal to that country due to fear of gang persecution. He was subsequently returned to the U.S. and is now being processed for potential removal to Uganda.

The full transcript of the "Face the Nation" interview, released by CBS News, includes the portions that DHS claims were edited out. CBS has not yet publicly responded to Secretary Noem's specific allegations of deceptive editing. The incident underscores ongoing tensions between government officials and media outlets regarding the portrayal of sensitive issues, particularly those related to immigration and national security.