CBS News has dismissed veteran journalist Scott Pelley following a sharp disagreement with network executives over recent staff terminations at the news program 60 Minutes, as reported by The Guardian.
The dismissal came after an intensely argumentative Monday morning staff meeting where Pelley confronted newly appointed executive editor Nick Bilton and another network executive regarding recent leadership decisions.
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Pelley directed his criticism at network editor-in-chief Bari Weiss during the internal discussion.
"She's murdering 60 Minutes," said Pelley, according to the network meeting details. "She does not love this place.
She was brought in to kill it and is doing exactly that."
Network executives attempted to meet with the correspondent after a round of staff terminations occurred on Thursday, though the meeting did not materialize.
Pelley later met with Weiss on Tuesday to discuss his remarks, where she characterized his behavior as inappropriate, leading Pelley to inform colleagues that he expected to be terminated.
Executive editor Nick Bilton sent an official termination message to Pelley on Tuesday evening citing misconduct during the staff meeting.
"Yesterday, you hijacked my first meeting with staff to disparage me, my qualifications, and my intentions with remarkable incivility and contempt," wrote Bilton, Executive Editor of 60 Minutes.
The executive editor also distributed an email to the broader program staff on Tuesday afternoon to confirm the immediate departure.
"You should hear this from me first. We have parted ways with Scott Pelley," wrote Bilton.
"I know how much Scott meant to many of you, and I don't say this lightly.
I made repeated attempts to have direct conversations with him over the weekend, and this afternoon I tried to find common ground.
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That was not the path Scott chose."
Bilton acknowledged the rapid organizational shifts within the program and expressed his commitment to supporting the remaining team members.
"What I regret most is that this situation interfered with the conversation I had hoped to have with you about Season 59 and the future of this show," wrote Bilton.
"I realize this is a great deal of change in a very short time, and I wouldn't pretend otherwise.
… What I will commit to is this: My unyielding support for each of you, the journalism that you do and what we will do together going forward."
Prior to his dismissal, Pelley used a public presentation at the News & Documentary Emmy awards last Wednesday to support colleague Sharyn Alfonsi after her contract was not renewed.
"There have been many great 60 Minutes correspondents over the years. I see Sharyn Alfonsi in the audience," said Pelley.
The longtime correspondent had previously expressed optimism about network management during an award ceremony in Washington on December 12, 2025.
"It's early yet, but what I can tell you is we are doing the same kinds of stories with the same kind of rigor, and we have experienced no corporate interference of any kind," said Pelley.
Former 60 Minutes producer Rome Hartman commented on the network dispute, criticizing the decision to fire Pelley for challenging leadership.
"The irony is flammable!" wrote Hartman.
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The departure leaves the news program with three full-time correspondents ahead of its upcoming 59th season launch.
