opinion
Investigative journalist Katherine Herridge and the union representing workers at CBS News celebrated the return of classified files that were seized following her firing nearly two weeks ago.
SAG-AFTRA reported on the development and said they were “pleased to confirm that… our union monitored the return of several boxes containing materials Catherine Herridge reports from her CBS News bureau in Washington, D.C.”
They noted that Herridge was reviewing the contents of the boxes, and shared a statement from the union on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.
“We welcome CBS News’ reversal that follows SAG-AFTRA’s intervention and extensive media coverage that highlighted shared concerns about freedom of the press and the First Amendment,” they wrote. “Resolving this matter sends a strong message to protect fundamental First Amendment principles.”
The Policy Insider reported that CBS seized Herridge's files, computers and records, but promised not to view them and that the documents were locked in her office.
RELATED: CBS seizes materials of fired journalist who investigated Hunter Biden
Herridge was investigating Hunter Biden
Herridge's firing and the way it was handled, not to mention the timing, initially raised eyebrows, given that she had been investigating part of the Hunter Biden laptop scandal before she was fired.
In addition to the laptop investigation, the award-winning reporter has been covering the House impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden, Special Counsel Robert Hoare's report into his handling of classified documents, and the criminal charges against the first son.
The former Fox News journalist is also in the midst of a First Amendment lawsuit as she protects the identity of a source used in a report written in 2017.
Herridge faces hefty fines if she does not comply with court demands to interview her under oath in this case.
RELATED: Hunter Biden says he needs to stay sober in order to defeat Trump
What happened to those files while CBS kept them?
Needless to say, many social media users expressed doubts that no one at CBS News touched the files in Herridge's office during the period she was denied access to them.
“After making copies and submitting them to Hunter Biden’s lawyers,” one person said Written on X.
“Oh please,” another replied. “If there was something they wanted, they copied it. It's the information that has value, not the original document.”
Radio presenter Brianna Morello Requested“How many did they see and make copies and send to the feds?”
“”””””””””””””””””””””” He added Julie Wright.
Although there is no indication that the files were tampered with in any way, the way CBS handled Herridge's firing lends itself to conspiratorial concerns.
They made their bed.
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