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CBS News CEO Wendy McMahon announced her resignation on Monday after leading the network for four years.

Her departure comes amid ongoing legal and internal challenges, as CBS parent company Paramount Global considers settling a high-profile lawsuit with former President Donald Trump.

McMahon sent an email to CBS staff explaining that she and the company no longer agree on the direction forward.

She described recent months as "challenging" and said it was time for new leadership to guide the network.

According to AP News, McMahon also voiced her opposition to settling the lawsuit, aligning with Bill Owens, the former executive producer of "60 Minutes," who resigned last month over similar concerns about journalistic independence.

The lawsuit at the center of the controversy was filed by Trump after a "60 Minutes" interview last fall with Kamala Harris, his 2024 Democratic opponent.

Trump alleges the interview was deceptively edited to favor Harris, a claim CBS denies. Paramount is currently in talks to potentially settle the case, while also seeking approval from the Biden administration for a merger with Skydance Media.

Paramount's controlling shareholder, Shari Redstone, is reportedly in favor of settling the lawsuit.

This move follows internal pressures at CBS, including criticism over network coverage of the war in Gaza and increased oversight of "60 Minutes" stories.

These changes contributed to Owens' departure, with correspondent Scott Pelley admitting the newsroom is unhappy with the new direction.

George Cheeks Takes Direct Control of CBS News Leadership

George Cheeks, co-CEO of Paramount and head of CBS, announced that McMahon's top deputies, CBS News president Tom Cibrowski and CBS Stations president Jennifer Mitchell, will now report directly to him.

Cheeks praised McMahon's efforts in expanding local news and improving CBS's digital offerings, calling her work "diligent" and forward-thinking, Politico said.

Despite tensions, "60 Minutes" continues to investigate tough topics, including critical stories about the Trump administration, which has repeatedly attacked the show on social media. Most recently, a planned report on IRS cutbacks was postponed after the IRS reversed a staff reduction plan.

McMahon's exit has drawn concern from some media figures. FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez called the resignation "alarming," warning that it signals growing corporate influence over independent journalism.

The network also faces ratings struggles with its "CBS Evening News," now anchored by John Dickerson and Maurice DuBois.