John Dickerson, a familiar face and respected voice on American television news, has announced that he will depart CBS News at the end of 2025, capping a 16-year tenure that saw him rise through the ranks to anchor some of the network’s most prestigious programs. Dickerson’s decision, made public on October 27, 2025, through a heartfelt social media post and shared with colleagues in a morning staff meeting, marks the first major on-air talent exit since Bari Weiss took the reins as CBS News editor-in-chief earlier this fall.
In his announcement, Dickerson expressed deep gratitude for his time at the network. “I am extremely grateful for all that CBS gave me—the work, the audience’s attention, and the honor of being a part of the network’s history—and I am grateful for my dear colleagues who’ve made me a better journalist and a better human. I will miss you,” he wrote, according to The Hollywood Reporter and Fox News. His words resonated with colleagues, many of whom viewed him as both a consummate professional and a steadying presence in an industry often defined by rapid change.
Tom Cibrowski, president of CBS News, praised Dickerson’s contributions, stating, “John epitomizes the very best of journalism. He will co-anchor the CBS Evening News until the holidays, when he will say farewell. Until then, we’ll have plenty of time to thank him for his work here and honor his contributions to our success.” Cibrowski’s statement, cited by The New York Times and Fox News, underscored the sense of loss and transition facing the network as it braces for what many expect to be a significant shake-up.
Since joining CBS News in 2009 as a correspondent and contributor, Dickerson has worn many hats. He served as the network’s political director, moderated Face the Nation, co-hosted CBS This Morning, contributed to 60 Minutes, anchored CBS News Prime Time with John Dickerson, and, most recently, co-anchored CBS Evening News alongside Maurice DuBois. His versatility and calm demeanor made him a go-to figure during elections and breaking news events. Notably, Dickerson has interviewed former President Donald Trump more than 20 times and moderated two presidential debates in 2016, as noted by Fox News and The Hollywood Reporter.
Dickerson’s departure comes at a time of profound change for CBS News and its parent company. In August 2025, Paramount completed its merger with Skydance Media, led by David Ellison, following a $16 million settlement with President Trump over a contentious 60 Minutes interview with then-vice presidential candidate Kamala Harris. The settlement, which some legal experts saw as lacking merit, was viewed by several CBS insiders as a necessary step for regulatory approval of the merger, but also raised questions about the network’s editorial independence. Dickerson himself was among those who voiced concern. “The Paramount settlement poses a new obstacle. Can you hold power to account after paying it millions? Can an audience trust you when it thinks you’ve traded away that trust?” he said on CBS Evening News Plus in July, according to The Guardian and The Hollywood Reporter.
The arrival of Bari Weiss as editor-in-chief in October, appointed by Ellison, has generated both excitement and anxiety within the CBS newsroom. Weiss, a former opinion journalist and founder of The Free Press, was brought in to overhaul the network’s editorial direction, champion core values, and drive innovation across platforms. However, her appointment has not been without controversy. As Fox News reported, some staffers—particularly those who identify as more progressive or who feel protective of CBS’s storied legacy—have expressed concerns about her lack of broadcast experience and her outspoken views, especially regarding Israel and what she calls “woke” culture. Others, however, see her as a much-needed change agent. “We probably needed a course correction, and an unwillingness to acknowledge that would lead to perpetual third place,” one CBS insider told Fox News.
Indeed, CBS Evening News has long struggled to climb out of third place in the ratings behind ABC and NBC, despite numerous reinventions. Earlier in 2025, the network debuted a two-anchor format with Dickerson and DuBois in a bid to reboot the show, but the move failed to reverse the ratings slide. The program had already been through a format change under 60 Minutes executive producer Bill Owens, who left the company citing interference from network executives, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter. Now, with Dickerson’s impending exit, the future of the flagship newscast is once again uncertain. Weiss is reportedly interested in recruiting Fox News anchor Bret Baier, though he remains under contract with Fox until 2028, according to Status and The Guardian.
The leadership changes at CBS News are part of a broader wave of upheaval. The network has seen the departure of several high-profile figures in recent months, including Claudia Milne, who oversaw standards and practices, and a longtime 60 Minutes executive producer who cited lost journalistic independence as his reason for leaving. The president and CEO of CBS News also resigned in May, saying the company and she did not agree on the path forward. Layoffs at Paramount Skydance are expected imminently, with CBS News bracing for deep job cuts, according to The New York Times.
For Dickerson, the decision to leave was his own, but he was acutely aware of the coming changes. Sources told The New York Times that he recognized a major revamp was on the horizon, one that would likely include a reimagining of the Evening News and potentially new faces at the anchor desk. Dickerson’s departure also follows a family legacy: his mother, Nancy Dickerson, was CBS’s first female correspondent in 1960.
Away from the anchor desk, Dickerson is a contributing writer at The Atlantic and co-hosts Slate’s “Political Gabfest” podcast, further cementing his reputation as a thoughtful analyst and commentator. As one CBS staffer told The Guardian, “He’s an excellent journalist, good human being, and someone you want in a newsroom.”
What does Dickerson’s exit mean for CBS News? It’s a question that looms large as the network faces a crossroads of leadership, editorial philosophy, and public trust. The coming months will reveal whether Bari Weiss’s vision can revive the storied news division, or whether the changes will deepen existing rifts. For now, John Dickerson’s legacy at CBS is secure—a testament to journalistic excellence in turbulent times.
