Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem accused CBS News of “shamefully editing” her Sunday interview on Face the Nation to remove details about the alleged crimes of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, an illegal immigrant fighting deportation.
CBS has not publicly addressed Noem’s accusations, though the full transcript of the interview was later posted on its website.
Noem’s Claims Against CBS
During the broadcast, CBS aired Noem’s remarks that her department would ensure Abrego Garcia “doesn’t walk free in the United States.” But Noem later posted the unedited clip, showing she had gone on for another 30 seconds describing Abrego Garcia’s alleged background.
In her full comments, Noem called him a “known human smuggler, a MS-13 gang member, a wife beater,” and said he was “so perverted that he solicited nude photos from minors.”
“Even his fellow human traffickers told him to knock it off,” Noem added in the uncut portion. “He needs to never be in the United States of America, and our administration is making sure we’re doing all that we can to bring him to justice.”
After the segment aired, Noem blasted CBS on X:
“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.”
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.
Watch for the part of my interview that @CBS tried to… pic.twitter.com/28fsGZug48
— Secretary Kristi Noem (@Sec_Noem) August 31, 2025
Deportation Battle
Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran national, is currently challenging his planned deportation to Uganda. Earlier this month, DHS announced it would move forward after a court order prevented his removal to El Salvador.
Last week, U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis (an Obama appointee) halted the deportation until she could hold an evidentiary hearing on Abrego Garcia’s lawsuit.
Xinis had previously ordered the Trump administration to “take all available steps” to return him to the U.S. after he was deported to El Salvador.
