Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem Accuses CBS News of Editing Interview

WASHINGTON, Sept. 1, 2025 - Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Monday publicly accused CBS News of “shamefully” editing her recent interview on Face the Nation, alleging the network cut key portions that exposed the dangers posed by an alleged MS-13 gang member, Kilmar Abrego Garcia.

Noem took to social media after the broadcast, sharing uncut video clips and condemning CBS News for “whitewash[ing] the truth about this MS-13 gang member and the threat he poses to American public safety.” In the edited segment, Noem stated that prosecution decisions rest with the Department of Justice and highlighted ongoing criminal and civil charges against Abrego Garcia before assuring viewers her office would prevent him from “walk[ing] free in the United States of America.” CBS News responded that the interview was trimmed strictly for time and complied with editorial standards, noting the full interview and transcript are available online.

In her unedited remarks-which aired in full on the CBS News YouTube channel-Noem described Abrego Garcia as a “known human smuggler, an MS-13 gang member, a wife beater, and a child predator,” emphasizing his exploitation of minors and asserting he must never again set foot in the United States. CBS News maintained its edits were purely logistical, asserting no factual content was suppressed.