The Bari Weiss Era of ‘60 Minutes’ Begins
NYT > U.S. > Politics — 2026-09-13 21:14:00 — www.nytimes.com
President Trump’s Response to Pardon Scandal: “Ill-Informed or Malicious”
The season premiere of “60 Minutes” returned with a renewed focus on accountability journalism, including a high-profile investigation into the lobbying of presidential pardons. As part of the broadcast, the Trump administration issued a statement defending the president’s actions, asserting that any suggestion he had behaved unethically “is either ill-informed or malicious.”
Pardons Under Scrutiny
Lesley Stahl’s report examined the role of middlemen who charged large sums to lobby for presidential pardons during Trump’s tenure. The segment highlighted that Trump had pardoned “a string of unrepentant financial con men,” as well as “rioters” at the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021. These pardons have drawn criticism from both political opponents and watchdog groups, who argue that the process was influenced by personal connections and financial interests.
Trump Administration Pushes Back
In response to the investigation, the Trump administration categorically rejected allegations of unethical conduct, characterizing such claims as either misinformed or intentionally harmful. This statement reflects a familiar pattern from Trump and his team, who have frequently dismissed or attacked the credibility of critics and media reports that question the ethics or legality of his actions.
Broader Context
The “60 Minutes” episode comes at a time when CBS News’s political coverage is under intense scrutiny, following significant changes in leadership and concerns about potential bias. The network’s parent company, Paramount, recently settled a $16 million lawsuit filed by Trump over “60 Minutes,” and the Trump administration subsequently approved Paramount’s sale to a tech executive with ties to Trump.
Conclusion
As the new season of “60 Minutes” unfolds, the Trump administration’s response to allegations of unethical pardons remains defiant. By labeling criticism as “ill-informed or malicious,” Trump continues to reject accountability for actions that have raised serious questions about the integrity of the presidential pardon process. The controversy underscores the ongoing debate over transparency and ethics in American political life.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/13/business/media/60-minutes-season-premiere-bari-weiss.html