CBS News’ Scott MacFarlane leaves network: ‘I look forward to some independence’

Scott MacFarlane, the CBS News justice correspondent most known for his extensive coverage of the January 6 Capitol insurrection, surprised colleagues on Monday morning by announcing his departure from the network, which he joined in late 2021.

MacFarlane is only the latest departure from the Bari Weiss-led network, though he said in a memo to colleagues – also posted on LinkedIn – that he personally made the decision to leave.

“This is my decision, and I appreciate the bosses at CBS for understanding it,” he wrote. “I will always value the opportunity I had to work alongside the talented and committed professionals here. I’m proud to have had the words ‘CBS correspondent’ next to my name – always will be.”

MacFarlane, who joined CBS News after working as an investigative reporter for NBC Washington, indicated that he doesn’t have another job lined up. “For the next phase of my career, I look forward to some independence and finding new spaces to share my work in line with my personal goals,” he wrote.

CBS News did not release a comment about MacFarlane’s departure, though Weiss acknowledged on the network’s morning editorial call that he had produced multiple scoops during his tenure at the network, according to a staffer who participated.

Considering his extensive coverage of the Capitol insurrection, MacFarlane was said to be frustrated with the network’s decision to air only a brief mention – derided by some as evincing a both sides focus – on its fifth anniversary in early January.

“President Trump today accused Democrats of failing to prevent the attack on the Capitol, while House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries accused the president of ‘whitewashing’ it,” Tony Dokoupil, a CBS Evening News anchor, said during the 6 January 2026 episode of the show.

“He was pissed that they barely marked January 6 and both sides-d it during Tony’s roadshow,” a CBS News colleague – who was not authorized to comment – told the Guardian.

On 7 January, in what was seen as a dig at the network’s coverage, MacFarlane shared a clip of him appearing on the BBC to talk about the anniversary. “Here’s my deep dive on the 5-year mark of Jan 6 -- The ongoing impact on victims, the lies ... and the continued malignant corrosion of democracy. As aired on ..... The BBC,” he wrote. (CBS News and the BBC have a news-sharing partnership.)

MacFarlane’s departure was noted by his colleagues at the network, including Kathryn Watson, a CBS News reporter.

“Such a huge loss for us at CBS News,” she wrote in a post on X. “Scott is not only one of the most diligent journalists I know, but also, one of the most good-hearted ones. We will miss you!”

His exit was also noted by critics of Weiss’ leadership of the network.

Two different CBS Evening News producers recently criticized the network’s editorial direction in memos announcing their departure from the network via a voluntary buyout program.

“We’ve been told to aim our reporting at a particular part of the political spectrum,” Mary Walsh, a veteran CBS News producer, wrote in a memo late last month. “Honestly, I don’t know how to do that.”

Kim Harvey, the executive producer of the Evening News, pushed back on Walsh’s farewell comments in a follow-up note to her staff.