'Whitewashing truth': Kristi Noem slams CBS for 'shamefully' editing her response on Kilmar Abrego Garcia

WASHINGTON, DC: Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is calling out CBS and 'Face the Nation' for allegedly cutting key parts of her interview about Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran MS-13 gang member at the center of a high-profile deportation battle.

Noem accused the network of omitting her detailed claims that Garcia is a violent human smuggler, domestic abuser, and child predator. To expose what she called an attempt to "whitewash" the truth, Noem posted the unedited interview clip on her official X account, showing what CBS allegedly left out. 

Kristi Noem criticizes CBS for cutting key parts of her interview about Kilmar Abrego Garcia

On Sunday, August 31, Kristi Noem took to her official X account to accuse CBS and 'Face the Nation' of selectively editing her interview about Kilmar Abrego Garcia, an alleged Salvadoran MS-13 gang member at the center of a deportation battle.

Noem shared a video showing that 26 seconds were cut from her response, specifically the part where she labeled Garcia a "perverted" gang member and a "wife-beater," and stated her administration’s commitment to bringing him to justice.

According to Noem, the omitted section also included disturbing allegations that even Garcia’s fellow criminals were repulsed by his behavior, including his alleged solicitation of child p*rnography.

"This morning, I joined CBS to report the facts about Kilmar Abrego Garcia," she wrote in her post. "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."

The clip Noem posted included a side-by-side comparison of what she actually said versus what was aired, highlighting two specific cuts. In the full version, she asserted that Garcia should never be allowed to “walk free” in the United States again, and detailed a list of alleged crimes that were omitted from the broadcast.

"This individual was a known human smuggler, a MS-13 gang member, an individual who was a wife-beater, and someone who was so perverted that he solicited nude photos from minors," Noem said. "And even his fellow human traffickers told him to knock it off, he was so sick in what he was doing and how he was treating small children."

She concluded the censored portion by saying, “So 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.”

Internet reacts to Kristi Noem's accusations about CBS

Kristi Noem’s claims against CBS over the alleged editing of her recent 'Face the Nation' interview went viral, garnering over 2.9 million views and thousands of comments on X. The controversy, centered on her remarks about Kilmar Abrego Garcia, sparked a wave of reactions from social media users.

One user joked, “CBS is going to cover the national debt at this rate.” Another mocked the network, writing, “CBS really likes getting sued.”

Several commenters applauded Noem, with one stating, “Thank you for your Straight forward words are easy to understand. Classy Lady.”

Others expressed serious concern about the media’s role. “It’s time for the FCC to remove their license,” one user warned. 

Another asked, “Why is it legal for the media to deceptively edit clips?”

A more pointed comment read, “Get this out there. They still think they can do this without push back. Shameful, corrupt @CBSNews.”

Some users even called for federal action. “I strongly suggest that the FCC review @CBSNews broadcast license and put a suspension. Then drop a law suit/fine for $5 billion for the deceptive editing, see Trump’s @CBSNews LAW SUIT as a precedent,” one person wrote.

Another added bluntly, “Expected from that, they're not journalists they're propagandists.”

Trump accused CBS of deceitful editing of Kamala Harris interview

Paramount Global agreed to pay $16 million to President Donald Trump to settle a lawsuit over a CBS '60 Minutes' interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris.

Trump alleged the segment was deceptively edited to portray Harris as more competent ahead of the presidential election. Under the settlement, '60 Minutes' will release full transcripts of all future interviews with presidential candidates.

CBS had initially dismissed the lawsuit, which sought as much as $20 billion in damages, as baseless. But Paramount chair Shari Redstone reportedly pushed for a resolution as the company seeks federal approval for its multibillion-dollar merger with Skydance Media.

During the case, Trump repeatedly criticized CBS on Truth Social, calling for the network to lose its broadcast license and urging the FCC to impose steep fines. The lawsuit also fueled internal turmoil at CBS, prompting the resignations of '60 Minutes' executive producer Bill Owens and CBS News CEO Wendy McMahon earlier this year.

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