CBS News chief Bari Weiss has reportedly surprised “60 Minutes” veteran Leslie Stahl by assigning Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s first significant U.S. broadcast interview since the Iran war to Major Garrett, a veteran journalist at CBS who isn’t part of the “60 Minutes” correspondent team.
This decision caught the staff off guard since Stahl, a long-time star on the show, had been working hard for months to help keep Netanyahu in power. Instead of her, Weiss chose Garrett, now a respected White House correspondent for CBS News.
This marks the second instance in a few months where Weiss has opted for Garrett to lead a major “60 Minutes” interview instead of one of its regular correspondents.
Earlier this year, Weiss had also appointed Garrett to interview Army Secretary Pete Hegseth, and then arranged for him to lead a high-profile roundtable discussion on the show, which further raised eyebrows among staff, given that he does not typically cover “60 Minutes.”
As tensions grew, Weiss took the unusual step of personally scheduling an interview with Netanyahu and selected Garrett once more, ignoring Stahl and other correspondents on the show, according to reports.
This shift has reportedly led to discontent among staff who feel that Netanyahu is reshaping the traditional team with the backing of Weiss.
Some insiders suggest that Netanyahu favored Garrett because he was deemed a more approachable interviewer.
There were also indications that executive producer Tanya Simon was hesitant to air the interview on “60 Minutes,” suggesting alternatives within CBS News, but various logistical issues—like Garrett’s late arrival in Israel and Netanyahu’s unavailability—compressed the timeline and made “60 Minutes” the only feasible option for Saturday’s airing.
A CBS News spokesperson remarked that it’s the editor-in-chief’s role to make these booking decisions, noting Garrett’s capabilities as a world-class journalist who conducts tough and fair interviews.
The situation is adding to the tension as Weiss increasingly exerts editorial control over “60 Minutes” and CBS News, leaving staff members unsettled by potential organizational changes and departures.
Previously, Weiss faced criticism for shelving a controversial report by correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi, leading to speculation about significant changes in store for the show, especially as Alfonsi’s contract approaches expiration.
Alfonsi has since hired a prominent lawyer and is potentially preparing to exit the network when her contract ends. Reports indicate that there are concerns among CBS News staff regarding Weiss’s strong pro-Israel stance and its influence on editorial decisions.
Moreover, it has been reported that Weiss’s leadership has led to clashes within the newsroom, including the termination of London bureau chief Claire Day after disagreements regarding coverage of Iran and Gaza. Critics allege that the network is enforcing ideological loyalty tests under Weiss’s direction.
