CBS News Report on ICE Officer's Injuries Sparks Internal Debate
A report by CBS News claiming an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer suffered 'internal bleeding' after a fatal shooting in Minneapolis has triggered significant internal concern and scepticism within the network's own newsroom. The story, based on anonymous US officials, was published on Wednesday and immediately faced questions over its sourcing and potential alignment with Trump administration narratives.
Anonymous Claims and Immediate Backlash
CBS initially reported on X, formerly Twitter, that officer Jonathan Ross 'suffered internal bleeding to the torso' after fatally shooting Renee Nicole Good. Approximately thirty minutes later, the network followed with an article by two correspondents, again citing two unnamed US officials briefed on his medical condition. This account was not widely corroborated by other major news organisations, leading to swift criticism on social media and, crucially, from within CBS itself.
Internal emails seen by the Guardian reveal a newsroom divided. One CBS News staffer, unauthorised to speak publicly, described 'huge internal concern' over the piece. Another employee suggested it felt like the network was 'carrying water for the admin’s justifying of the shooting' to maintain source access. However, other staff viewed the discussions as part of standard editorial processes.
Editorial Scrutiny and Medical Questions
Before publication, a CBS medical producer emailed colleagues suggesting it would be helpful to ask what specific treatment the officer received, including whether he underwent surgery. Senior vice-president David Reiter expressed scepticism in another email, noting the broad nature of the term 'internal bleeding'. 'A bruise is internal bleeding. But it can also be something serious,' Reiter wrote, adding that video showed the officer walking away from the incident.
The network's top editor, Bari Weiss, reportedly showed a high level of interest in the story during an editorial call on Wednesday morning. In a statement defending its reporting, a CBS News spokesperson said the network 'went through its rigorous editorial process and decided it was reportable based on the reporting, the reporters, and the sourcing'.
Broader Media Landscape and Political Context
While CBS labelled its story an 'exclusive', it was not entirely alone. ABC News briefly repeated the claim, citing officials who provided no further details. NBC News and the New York Times made brief mentions, while Fox News published a full story citing a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson, while acknowledging the extent of the injury was unclear. The Guardian has not independently confirmed the report.
The incident occurs amid ongoing accusations of favouritism toward the Trump administration since Bari Weiss became editor-in-chief in early October. CBS is controlled by Paramount Skydance, a conglomerate heavily funded by tech billionaire and Trump ally Larry Ellison. This context followed an exclusive CBS interview with Donald Trump on Tuesday, where he made comments about the network's anchor salary under a potential Harris administration.
