CBS News said Friday it will no longer allow editing of guests’ words on its Sunday public affairs program Face The Nation, a change announced days after complaints from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem about a taped interview.
Noem accused the network of "shamefully edited[ing] the interview to whitewash the truth" after portions of a pre-recorded segment about Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a man whose mistaken deportation to El Salvador has become a touchpoint in debates over President Donald Trump’s immigration policies, were broadcast. The network said the policy change was made "in response to audience feedback."
Under the new practice, Face The Nation will only air interviews that are live or "live-to-tape," meaning producers will not edit the guests' words before broadcast except when required for legal or national security reasons, CBS News said. The network did not immediately provide additional detail on how the policy will be implemented across its programming or how it will handle rebroadcasts and online clips.
Noem’s remarks followed the network’s airing of selected portions of a taped interview in which she discussed Abrego Garcia, whom she described as an MS-13 gang member and a threat to public safety in a tweet criticizing CBS. Abrego Garcia’s case — widely reported as a mistaken deportation — has been cited in political discussions about the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement priorities. The interview had been recorded in advance of the broadcast.
Face The Nation is among the most prominent Sunday political programs in the United States, routinely featuring interviews with senior administration officials and lawmakers. Broadcasts are produced by CBS News, the network’s news division, which has faced heightened scrutiny in recent years over interview practices and editorial decisions.
CBS's announcement did not mention disciplinary steps or changes to editing practices for other shows. Network executives have in the past defended editorial control over pre-recorded segments as necessary to ensure clarity and accuracy, while critics and some politicians have argued that selective editing can misrepresent speakers.
In her social media post, Noem said viewers should watch a portion of the interview that she said CBS had tried to omit. CBS News said the new policy is intended to address audience concerns about the handling of interviews and to preserve the integrity of on-air exchanges, subject to the stated legal and security exceptions.
The policy change is effective immediately for Face The Nation. CBS News did not say whether the new rule will be extended to other programs. The network and Noem did not provide further comment beyond their public statements.