Homeland Security Secretary Criticizes CBS Editing

WASHINGTON – Homeland Security Secretary Christie Noem discussed concerns over CBS News’ coverage related to Kilmer Abrego Garcia, an MS-13 gang member who was deported to El Salvador earlier this year. She made her comments during an interview on “Face the Nation” on Sunday, revealing later that some parts of her responses had been edited out.

“This individual is involved in serious criminal activity—he’s a human smuggler, part of the MS-13 gang, and has a history of domestic violence. He even sought inappropriate photos from a minor, and even his fellow traffickers urged him to stop,” Noem stated.

Noem further emphasized her commitment to justice, saying, “He should never be in the United States, and our administration is committed to ensuring we bring him to justice.”

CBS has not yet responded to inquiries regarding the edits.

Noem took to social media later, expressing frustration: “I joined CBS this morning to share facts about Kilmer Abrego Garcia. Instead, CBS embarrassingly edited the truth, trying to downplay the dangers posed by this MS-13 member to the safety of the American public.”

A U.S. federal immigration judge had previously ruled in 2019 that Abrego Garcia couldn’t be deported to El Salvador due to threats against him from local gangs. However, the Trump administration deported him to a Central American prison earlier this year alongside other gang members.

The administration asserted that he was part of the MS-13 gang, classified as a foreign terrorist organization, pointing to a 2019 court decision as evidence. Abrego Garcia and his legal team, however, have denied these claims.

Democratic representatives have defended him, stating that his deportation to El Salvador was “illegal,” first placing him in the notorious CECOT prison and later at a lower-security facility.

While he was returned to the U.S. in June and charged with human smuggling, he was released before the trial but was arrested again by ICE on August 25. His situation has now become even more complex, as he could potentially be deported to Uganda after declining a plea deal related to the smuggling charges.

Abrego Garcia’s lawyers are currently pursuing asylum in the U.S. Although his initial request in 2019 was denied, a successful application could lead him toward obtaining a green card and eventually U.S. citizenship.