CBS News employees raised concerns after the network reported that the ICE officer who fatally shot Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis suffered internal bleeding to the torso following the incident.
Internal Concerns at CBS News
CBS News initially published the account regarding officer Jonathan Ross on X, formerly Twitter, followed by a link to an article citing “two US officials briefed on his medical condition.” The report garnered immediate criticism on social media, with some questioning the network’s sourcing and potential alignment with the Trump administration’s priorities.
Internal emails revealed “huge internal concern” among some CBS News staff regarding the report, while others described the discussions as standard editorial practice. A medical producer suggested asking about the type of treatment the officer received, including whether surgery was performed.
CBS News senior vice-president David Reiter expressed skepticism about the broad nature of the medical diagnosis, noting that “internal bleeding” can range in severity, and that videos showed Ross walking away from the scene.
Report Viewed as Potential Favoritism
Bari Weiss, CBS News’ top editor, showed significant interest in the story during an editorial call. One staffer, speaking anonymously, said the report was viewed as a potentially anonymous leak from the Trump administration intended to justify the shooting and maintain access to sources.
Another staffer stated the report felt like “carrying water for the admin’s justifying of the shooting.”
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.”
ABC News published a brief update repeating the claim, citing “multiple US officials familiar with [Ross’s] medical condition,” but without providing further details. NBC News, the New York Times, and Fox News also made brief mentions or published full stories, with Fox News citing a confirmation from a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson.
The Guardian has not independently confirmed the report. CBS News has faced accusations of favoritism toward the Trump administration since Weiss took over as editor-in-chief in October. The network is now controlled by Paramount Skydance, a media conglomerate backed by Trump ally Larry Ellison.
Recently, CBS News anchor Tony Dokoupil secured an exclusive interview with Trump, who claimed he wouldn’t have been made anchor of the CBS Evening News under a Harris presidency, but conceded he might have been at a lower salary.
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