A report from anonymous sources claiming ICE agent Jonathan Ross suffered internal bleeding after fatally shooting 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good more than a week ago faced skepticism from CBS News staff but received approval from editor in chief Bari Weiss, a report states.
According to the Guardian, two senior network officials questioned the reporting's credibility due to missing crucial details. Their concerns were dismissed during the approval process.
Before publication, internal dissension emerged over the claim. A medical producer suggested via email that the report should clarify "what type of treatment he received" and whether the officer underwent surgery or other procedures.
CBS News senior vice president David Reiter objected to rushing the story into print without additional verification. He noted, "I'm no doctor, but internal bleeding is a very broad term and can range in severity. A bruise is internal bleeding. But it can also be something serious. We do know that the ICE agent walked away from the incident—we have that on camera."
Despite these reservations, Weiss expressed strong interest in the story during an editorial call Wednesday morning, according to staff members present.
One CBS News staffer characterized the internal reaction: "There was big internal dissension about the 'internal bleeding' report here last night. It was viewed as a thinly-veiled, anonymous leak by the Trump administration to someone who'd carry it online."
The incident reflects broader newsroom dysfunction following Weiss's appointment. Her CBS Evening News relaunch has been marked by controversial statements, on-air missteps, and declining viewership.
You can read more from The Guardian here.
