DHS Counsel Releases Uncut Interview to Challenge CBS Reporting

James Percival, General Counsel for the Department of Homeland Security, released uncut footage from a 60 Minutes interview to challenge a segment he claims was selectively edited. The original broadcast focused on Moussa Diawara, a Mali national deported from Houston, and portrayed the deportation as heartless.

Percival countered the narrative by releasing Diawara's asylum file, alleging immigration fraud. He claimed Diawara falsely asserted he was gay to avoid persecution in Mali despite being married to a woman and having children. Percival also defended the use of third-party countries for removals, noting that Ghana initially received Diawara before he was sent to Mali.

During the interview, Percival challenged CBS correspondent Gianna Toboni on the definition of violent crimes. While Toboni cited data showing only 2% of detainees were accused of homicide or sexual assault, Percival argued that this framing ignores serious offenses such as child pornography and heroin trafficking. He asserted that all individuals present illegally must follow the law. CBS News has since posted an extended version of the interview online.