CBS airs '60 Minutes' report on Trump deportations that was suddenly pulled a month ago

PBS • January 19, 2026 • nation

Key Points:

CBS correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi's report on deportees sent to El Salvador's harsh CECOT prison was pulled from the Dec. 21 "60 Minutes" episode on orders from CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss, who cited lack of administration viewpoint and prior reporting.
The aired version of the story included additional statements from the White House and Department of Homeland Security, but no on-camera Trump administration interviews, which Alfonsi said officials repeatedly declined.
CBS stated it was always committed to airing the piece, which finally aired on Jan. 7 alongside other reports, while Alfonsi accused the administration of using interview refusals as a tactic to kill the story.
The dispute highlighted tensions around Weiss' appointment and CBS's